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Ancelotti praises young stars after Copa del Rey triumph

Carlo Ancelotti praised Real Madrid’s young stars after helping the team to a 3-2 win at Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.

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Ancelotti praises Real Madrid’s young stars

Madrid fielded young talents such as Gonzalo Garcia (20), Raul Asencio (21), Jacobo Ramon (20), Arda Güler (19), and Endrick (18) in the quarterfinals.

Goals from veteran Luka Modric and Endrick gave Los Blancos a 2-0 lead before a brace from Juan Cruz leveled the game at 2-2.

García then came off the bench to head in the winning goal in the 93rd minute from Brahim Diaz’s cross, securing Madrid a place in the semifinals.

“It was an even, competitive game. We suffered at the back. Jacobo was a bit nervous at first, and then he started to get things right. Gonzalo is in good form for Castilla. We have to be happy with what the youngsters did,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference.

“They can make mistakes, but they contributed to the team. We need them, it’s a difficult moment. We have to get through it with games like today, where we suffered.”

Gamble paid off

Ancelotti opted to rest several key players for their crucial LaLiga derby against Atlético Madrid and next week’s Champions League knockout clash with Manchester City.

The Spanish manager admitted that his team selection against Leganes was influenced by Madrid’s upcoming fixtures.

Nonetheless, the decision to field in a youthful lineup paid off for Ancelotti.

“Those who work below us [in the academy] are doing well, creating players who are well prepared,” Ancelotti said. “There’s Raul [Asencio], Gonzalo, and Jacobo, who’s had a long injury. For three months, he couldn’t play. He’s still lacking something. But we’re aware that we can count on them.”

“We took into account the next two games, obviously. “[We didn’t want] to tire the team too much, because we have an emergency at the back. We have to give the youngsters we have — Arda, Endrick, Jacobo — minutes to find their rhythm, so they can be useful in the coming games.”