Leganes 2–3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed a scolding that captain Luka Modric gave Vinicius Jr. during Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 Copa del Rey quarterfinals win over Leganes.

Veteran Modric was seen giving Vinicius a dressing down after the Brazilian’s yellow card, and primarily for not coming back to help defend.

Asked about this following the knockout tie that required an injury time winner from youngster Gonzalo Garcia, and what he thought about Modric’s anger, Ancelotti said: "I don’t know. If Modric has said it, you always have to respect what Modric says."

Himself questioned on the matter when signing autographs after the game, as seen in a clip shared on X - formerly known as Twitter - by El Desmarque, Modric played down the controversy by responding that “these are things which happen in football."

"You see everything you shouldn’t see," the Croat added, in that people often look for the negatives.

Back to Ancelotti, he was asked how Vinicius is. "On a footballing level, he’s the usual Vinicius - very fresh and forceful in his face. He had many opportunities and then the card... It’s all nothing new," Ancelotti said with a laugh.

As for the win itself, Ancelotti remarked that Madrid came out on top of an “even, competitive match”.

"We didn't start well, but we managed to get ahead and take advantage. The team played very well in attack, with a lot of effectiveness. Although it is true that we suffered in defense."

"Jacobo Ramon paid a little for the first game with us, he was a little nervous at the beginning. Gonzalo is on a very good run with the Castilla and he has also contributed tonight. We have to be satisfied with what the young people have done. We have to count on them."

"It’s a complicated and difficult time. We have to move forward with games like today’s, in which we suffered. We are in the semifinals and the youngsters have contributed. Endrick scored and left good feelings. Arda Guler worked for the team... We have to come away from this match with satisfaction," Ancelotti insisted.

With the first of three important matches in eight days ticked off the list, Ancelotti and Co. now turn to a potential La Liga title race-deciding clash with Atletico Madrid in the Bernabeu on Saturday ahead of Manchester City in the Champions League.