Ancelotti: 'We struggled at times but we deserved to win'
'Tonight we achieved something hugely significant, winning every possible trophy in two years,' reflected the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in the Estadio La Cartuja press room following the win over Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final: 'It was a final played in a wonderful atmosphere, against very strong opposition. We struggled at times but we deserved to win it. Not just because of today but also due to the path we have taken in the competition, overcoming very good teams and earning this title.'
'We played really well for the first half an hour, Vini Jr. was unstoppable. Then I don't know what happened and I calmed him down a bit. This team needs to do one thing, and one thing only: play good football. Anything else is a loss of control and concentration. We didn't start the second half well, we struggled a bit and they levelled, but fortunately Rodrygo changed the course of the game.'
Every possible trophy in two seasons
“All I can do is thank this squad, this club and these fans. Tonight we achieved something hugely significant, winning every possible trophy in two years. Now we're preparing for a big game on Tuesday and we're heading into it with morale sky high, we're happy and excited. I'm delighted right now but I'm very tired. Tomorrow we'll realise all we've achieved over these two seasons.'
First leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Manchester City
“We're going to compete and fight because we're so close to another final. We'll try to do everything we can to play in another final. We're well up for Tuesday. We know that at the Bernabeu they'll push us and in the first leg we have the advantage of 12 against 11”.
Militão
“I spoke to him to tell Alaba to stay back and be compact. We did well at the back and better than we've done in recent games.”
Praise for Rodrygo
“Nobody knows just how far he can go. He's a very elegant player, who's movement is amazing and he scores goals. He's progressing spectacularly.”
Will Camavinga play in midfield on Tuesday?
“That's a possibility that we have to weigh up over the next few days because he's also been doing well at full-back, but he's more used to playing as an anchor-man and does a better job.”
Tchouameni
“We were under the cosh because they were pressing us well and we were slow at the start. I switched him to try to get the ball out from the back more quickly.”