Workout
Meditation
Contact Us
Real Madrid claimed a five-goal victory over Deportiva Minera in the Copa del Rey on Monday night, with Fede Valverde and Luka Modric competing for the goal of the match. However, it was the Croatian who took home his coach’s praise.
Ancelotti was asked after the game if the criticism of his management perhaps soured the experience of training at the Santiago Bernabéu. Something that the Italian flatly ruled out.
“I am delighted with all aspects, criticism of the coach is quite normal. There is no football university, everyone can give their opinion and sometimes they can also be right.”
Against Valencia on Friday night, Modric started Los Blancos’ comeback with a fine shot past Stole Dimitrievski, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Real Madrid history at the age of 39. He followed up with a second in successive games after a sweet goal.
“It is a gift, a gift for football. Even more so for those who can enjoy it up close, the fans, the teammates, the coach… all of Real Madrid. For me it is a great gift, especially because of the way he prepares these types of matches. He prepares them as if they were a final, it is a very important example for young people.”
Ancelotti has been in charge of the transition away from the legendary midfield of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Modric, with the oldest of the three being the last to remain. However, the coach’s job has undoubtedly been made much easier by the attitude that the three, but especially Modric, have shown in terms of commitment, but also helping their teammates develop in their roles.
