Eight months ago, Carlo Ancelotti was asked if Real Madrid was dependent on Benzema. “I am delighted to have it,” replied the Italian. Now, a symptom of how the balance of forces in the white attack has varied, at least up to this point in the course, the coach was questioned about Vinicius and this new possible dependence on the team with the deployment of the Brazilian. His answer, with another name, did not change. “Today he is one of the best players in the world. Being dependent on Vinicius is quite normal, ”he said before the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona at the Bernabéu (21:00, La 1 and Movistar).
The merengue team cross paths with the azulgranas again after the corrective they took a month and a half ago in the final of the Spanish Super Cup (3-1). “That day we lacked commitment and forcefulness, and there were individual mistakes. I think it will not be repeated. Tomorrow [por este jueves] we must have personality and courage to play a complete match in defense and attack”, commented Carletto, who could recover Rodrygo. In principle, the Brazilian’s time off, injured at Anfield a week ago, was 10 days and he had been considered lost for this classic, but this Wednesday he trained at the same pace as his teammates and could make the list. Alaba and Mendy, for their part, are still in the infirmary.
At the Riyadh event, Ancelotti opted for his usual duo, Kroos and Modric, in the middle. This Wednesday, asked if that announced transition in midfield could lead to one of them on the bench in a duel of this height to get fresh legs, the man from Reggiolo took a nap in the answer before concluding: “To give up players from At this level, you have to think about it”, warned Ancelotti, accustomed to haggling in the answers about the hottest points of his line-ups.
“Eight months after the start of the season, I don’t know who the starting team is. I don’t know, I don’t know,” repeated several. Reality says, however, that, when he has had everyone healthy, the starting eleven has not changed compared to the final in Paris, except for the forced exchange of Tchouameni-Casemiro. The Cup classic is yet another test to measure this issue, taking into account the absences of Alaba and Mendy.
“When we are close to a title, the boiler heats up,” proclaimed the white coach. “At first, the Cup is not the most important competition. You don’t always put the best team because you have the League and the Champions League. But if you play a semifinal, it is important, ”he concluded.
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