Carlo Ancelotti’s Press Conference Following Real Madrid’s Thrilling Victory over Atlético Madrid in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final
After Real Madrid’s breathtaking 5-3 triumph against Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media.
Press Conference Recap: Carlo Ancelotti’s Post-Match Reflections on Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Against Atlético Madrid
Ancelotti, labeling the game as “spectacular,” acknowledged Atlético’s superior performance in the first half, highlighting his team’s improvement after the break. He characterized the match as a spectacle, attributing their success to increased energy in the second half, despite Atlético being a formidable opponent.
Speaking about the game-plan, Ancelotti mentioned the strategy of pressing high and praised the impact of substitutes, expressing satisfaction with the performance of players like Brahim, Ceballos, Joselu, and Arda.
Addressing concerns about a quick turnaround, Ancelotti praised his players’ tremendous effort and enormous energy output. He emphasized the competitive nature of the game, considering it a spectacle for football.
Despite the victory, Ancelotti expressed worries about conceding three goals, emphasizing the need for defensive improvement. He singled out Dani Carvajal as the game’s MVP, praising his fantastic play, tremendous personality, and key contributions in attack.
Regarding the goalkeeper choice, Kepa over Lunin, Ancelotti deemed Kepa’s performance good and remained cautious about revealing the goalkeeper for the final.
In response to the high-scoring and emotionally charged game, Ancelotti advocated for maintaining calm, citing the upcoming 90 minutes in the quest for the trophy. He highlighted the comeback as a demonstration of Real Madrid’s DNA and a valuable lesson for the younger players to never give up.
Ancelotti expressed confusion over Toni Kroos being booed, explaining that Kroos had a slight injury, and he preferred a fresher player. He acknowledged Atlético’s quality, stating that these games are always difficult for coaches, even though spectators may enjoy the excitement.
