ANCELLOTTI SOUNDS ALARM OVER REAL MADRID’S DEFENSIVE FRAGILITY

Real Madrid secured their spot in the Copa del Rey final on Tuesday, but their 4-4win over Real Sociedad in the semi-final second leg has raised concerns for head coach Carlo Ancelotti. Despite the thrilling match, which saw eight goals scored at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti acknowledged that conceding four goals is a worrying sign for his team.

The match was an entertaining one for neutrals, with Real Madrid ultimately securing a 5-4 aggregate scoreline to advance to the final. However, Ancelotti’s post-match comments revealed that he is not entirely pleased with his team’s performance. “It was an entertaining game with many mistakes, with many good things,” Ancelotti said. “It was amusing. We are in the final. In the end, we have achieved our objective.”

Ancelotti praised his team’s attacking prowess, but expressed concerns about their defensive vulnerabilities. “We scored four goals, but we didn’t have balance,” he said. “We are a team that has little balance, but that has a lot in attack. Scoring four goals against Real Sociedad is not so easy.” The Italian coach also highlighted the importance of his team’s never-give-up attitude, particularly at home.

One incident that caught Ancelotti’s attention was the strong challenge on Vinicius Junior by Real Sociedad midfielder Jon Olasagasti during extra time. Ancelotti believed that the challenge warranted a red card, but refused to comment further on the matter.

Ancelotti also revealed that he had a stern conversation with Vinicius Junior during the match, threatening to substitute him if he didn’t improve his defensive effort. “I told him that he would be substituted if he didn’t defend,” Ancelotti said. “And from that conversation, Vini picked up the pace and brought out all his quality and was very important in extra time. He gave two assists.”

As Real Madrid prepares for the Copa del Rey final, Ancelotti will be working to address his team’s defensive concerns. Despite their attacking prowess, Real Madrid’s inability to keep clean sheets could prove costly in the final. Ancelotti’s comments suggest that he is aware of the challenge ahead and is already planning to make adjustments.

The Copa del Rey final will be a highly anticipated match, with Real Madrid facing off against either Athletic Bilbao or Osasuna. Ancelotti’s team will be looking to secure their first Copa del Rey title since 2014, but they will need to improve their defensive performance if they hope to succeed.

In the meantime, Ancelotti’s comments have sparked a lively debate among Real Madrid fans, with some calling for the team to strengthen their defense in the summer transfer window. Others have praised Ancelotti’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players.

As the season enters its final stretch, Real Madrid will be looking to build momentum and secure more silverware. With Ancelotti at the helm, they will be hoping to overcome their defensive concerns and achieve success in the Copa del Rey final.

Source: Africa Publicity