Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room to analyze Madrid’s 0-4 win at the Camp Nou, which gave them a place in the final of the Copa del Rey.
How have you seen the game?
It has been a complete game, when you win 0-4 here it is, in every way. We have read the moment of suffering for the team well and the first goal changed the dynamics, we found more space in the transitions.
It was a great game for Camavinga as a winger…
He is very young, he is in a very good moment, either as a pivot, as a full-back… He is getting used to it, he played the duel against Raphinha very well. Like the others, he has had a top game. He is lateral in emergency situations, yes. But he does it very well.
How did you see Modric and Kroos?
These are games in which the personality of the player, the experience, is very important. We have tried to mix energy with Rodrygo, Camavinga or Valverde, with experience with Modric or Kroos. The two have played a spectacular game.
Did you tell Arrasate that they would see each other in the final?
With Jagoba I made a joke, but it is reality. We are very happy to play the final, I imagine he too. It will be a very nice environment.
What did the team learn from the last Clásicos?
I think the experience of the last two Clásicos has been the same, the approach has been the same. We have changed Rodrygo’s role a bit, but the plan has been the same. Small details determine matches. The first goal was fantastic and determined the second half.
Has Benzema returned?
He has done a very good job in the break, he has found optimum condition and his quality makes the difference, without a doubt. He is still one of the best players in the world, without a doubt. If he’s okay, he’s one of the best.
He did not celebrate the victory on the grass…
Because we have celebrated in the locker room. Reaching a final is important, arriving with a disadvantage. Hopefully we can celebrate the final.
Vinicius shone, but he got into a lot of fights…
It was a game with contacts, a little nervous, but this can happen. I removed it because it didn’t make sense to have it on the field with yellow. I preferred not to take risks.
What are you most proud of?
I think that the boiler has returned to its temperature. It is the most important moment of the season.
Have you claimed?
No not at all. We are very happy, I am lucky to coach a great team and a great club.
Was the team touched by the last Clásicos, without confidence?
In the last two games we lost, but the negative result did not make us lose confidence. The plan was the same, we haven’t changed much. Some details, but nothing more.
To a Cup final. Sounds good, right?
Sounds good. We played a great game, a bit hard at first, but in the second half we did very well. We are happy. We did not get upset when they pressed and we knew how to take advantage of the spaces in transitions. We made the perfect match.
What did you say at halftime?
More than me, what revolutionized was the 0-1. We had more spaces for the contras and we took advantage of them.
“We are going to play the Cup final,” he told Arrasate.
It was a joke, but it’s really over! We are happy and I suppose Jagoba is too.
Did you say something to Vinicius at the end to calm him down? What has happened there?
Has fulfilled. He has scored the first goal and played very well.
And what can you tell me about Benzema?
It’s obviously too important to us. He returned against Valladolid and today he was decisive, as so many times.