Real Madrid Ace is ‘gift’ to football after Deportivo win

On By Littum

Carlo Ancelotti said that one of his Real Madrid players is a “gift” to football after a 5-0 Copa del Rey win over Deportivo Minera on Monday night.

The Italian fielded another stern outfit for the clash with two youngsters making their senior debuts.

“They showed their quality. It is a good experience for them to be with us, to work, to train, to get minutes with us. They are young – they and others – with a lot of quality. We are always in control of them , we observe them,” revealed Ancelotti after the full-time whistle.

While there was plenty of youth in the starting XI, including Endrick and Arda Guler, who scored twice, the oldest star was of course captain Luka Modric.

Ancelotti said the Croatian is a “gift to football”. “Even more for those who can enjoy him up close: the fans, the team-mates, the coach, all of Real Madrid. For me he is a great gift, especially because of the way he prepares for this type of game. He prepares them as if they were a final, he is a very important example for young people,” Ancelotti added.

Although he failed to find the back of the net, Ancelotti felt that Endrick “played a good game”.

“Scoring is a detail. He moved well, he had chances, his movement is always effective behind the attacking line. He lacked precision but his play was very good. And on the right he was very dangerous. He has to be patient, he wants to score goals when we need them,” insisted Ancelotti.

Opening his side’s account, Fede Valverde was also impressive. “He was very good,” Ancelotti said of the Uruguayan. “He played 45 minutes and we thought they were good for him. He left Valencia very fresh. We have taken minutes from others. He is very well.”

The aforementioned Valencia match of course got Vinicius Jr. sent off and, as he did during his post-match interview at the Mestalla and a pre-match press conference to preview Deportivo Minera, Ancelotti once again commented on a potential ban for the Brazilian.

“We don’t think they’re going to sanction him. He doesn’t need affection. He’s one of the best in the world, he’s won two Champions Leagues. He has the love of all the Madrid fans and that’s why , he is playing very well,” concluded Ancelotti.