Ancelotti: “Nobody would like a stadium shouting ‘go die’ at you”

He spoke about the incident with Raúl Asencio after the 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke after the 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, but despite the victory was visibly upset by the treatment of Raúl Asencio at the Reale Arena. Asked about how the youngster was feeling, he said, "nobody would like a stadium shouting “go die” at you. So he was affected. I preferred to take him off, because his feelings could affect him in the match".

"I think the referee acted well. Vinicius spoke to the referee, stopped the match and activated the protocol. He did well, it was the right thing to do. Afterwards I took Asencio off because he had two things: he was affected and had a yellow card. So I preferred to take him out."

"Well, we’ll have to see. Every game I’ll have to choose one. For Raúl, obviously, it was the first time in that position, but I liked it. Because he did well defensively. And we all know what Lucas, who had a great second half, can bring. As we know what Valverde can contribute. We will have to see it. But at the moment, fortunately, it’s a position that’s pretty well covered. It’s also good that we are starting to be solid at the back. Keeping a clean sheet on a pitch like this is remarkable. As is the return of Alaba, who is starting to get into a rhythm. The only pity is the injury to Ceballos but... there’s nothing we can do."

Ancelotti on Ceballos’ injury
"Well, let’s see.... He had a muscular problem at the end of the match and will undergo tests tomorrow."

Ancelotti on what Ceballos adds to the team
"Every player has his own characteristics and he has very good ball handling. He brought better possession and better ball handling. The rest have other characteristics but, for example, we also have Modric, who is similar to Ceballos in this sense. Bellingham is also playing very well, helping the team a lot in handling. We will have to replace an important player, but we will do it."

Ancelotti on whether Lunin would play in the final
"The second leg of this semifinal will be played by Lunin. He performed very well today. He is a very reliable goalkeeper, who did very well last year and is doing very well this year. But to open now the debate of a possible final... it seems too far away to me."

Ancelotti on Endrick
"He is a striker who has exactly the characteristics he has shown in these cup matches. He has a lot of accuracy, he’s quick, powerful and although he still needs to handle the ball better, he’s got that release, that finishing. He could have even scored a second goal. His shooting is spectacular. He’s very young, but he’s a very quick learner."

Ancelotti on whether now is the best form of the season
"Yes, it’s very good. Today we rotated, but the team was solid, compact and played a very good game defensively. It was solid. I think we are doing well, despite the ‘changes’ we have had. The young players... Endrick has contributed a lot, in the sense that he scored a fantastic goal, with a fantastic clearance; Arda has worked very well in the position, helping a lot in the defensive aspect... And we must be satisfied, because it was an intense and competitive match against an opponent who gave everything. And we were able to get a good result for the second leg."

Ancelotti on whether Real Madrid should’ve scored more
"We had chances in the second half, but Real Sociedad also pushed and had theirs. If we look at the match, it was a good one. This is always a difficult stadium to come to. But there’s still the second leg, where we’ll have to play at the same level. But today, the team delivered."