Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks following Real Madrid 2-1 Osasuna: “We will play 12v11 against City”
Carlo Ancelotti sparked his magic once again, leading Real Madrid to their first Copa Del Rey title since 2014. Interestingly, it was the Italian himself who had led the club to their last cup title almost a decade ago.
Following a poor season in La Liga, Ancelotti was hoping for nothing less than a win against Osasuna in the Copa Del Rey final. He wasn’t disappointed either, with Real Madrid securing a narrow 2-1 victory to secure the trophy.
“We have done something important tonight. Now we prepare the game vs City happy and motivated,” Ancelotti said after the triumph.
“The first 30 minutes were very good. Then the players got nervous and I had to calm them. They should focus on playing football. Only that,” he added.
It was indeed an important result for Real Madrid, who had to endure poor form heading into this game. Following the win, the team can feel confident as they take on Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League semifinal in midweek.
Ancelotti was not shy in expressing his team’s desire to win the Champions League once again, knowing it could go a long way in ensuring his future at Real Madrid. He even said Los Blancos have an advantage heading into the game.
“We will have an advantage vs City on Tuesday: our fans at the Bernabeu. We will play 12 vs 11,” he said. “We will fight for the Champions League. We will do everything possible to play another final.”
Ancelotti’s words were contradicted by Arsene Wenger a few weeks ago when the former Arsenal manager hailed Manchester City as the favourite owing to their superior defence. But given the way Real Madrid have performed in the Champions League, it promises to be an even contest between these two talented sides.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, doubled down on his desire to remain at Real Madrid amid links to the Brazilian national team. “My future? I said many, many times. My contract is until 2024,” he said.
Source: RealMadrid.tv
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
