"If you want to be at Real Madrid, you have to suck it up on the bench for a bit"

After a few turbulent days following the match against Leganes and the complaints from the Pepinero team regarding the refereeing, Carlo Ancelotti is now focusing on the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Real Sociedad.

The Merengue team come with a one-goal advantage after the 0-1 victory in the first leg at the Reale Arena. The Real Madrid coach once again mentioned the tight schedule at this stage of the season and hinted at Endrick's presence in the starting eleven.

"We are fine. The squad is lively, motivated, and in good shape. The last ones who returned from the break in South America have recovered. We have the hope of playing another final, we would love to. The Cup has gone well for us in recent years and we want to repeat," said the Italian coach in the press room."

"When asked if he had faced similar schedules in his time compared to this season's, Ancelotti, evidently, dismissed it: "There wasn't this wear and tear, it's a different sport and a different football. Not only because of that, but for many other things. The match preparations, the injury load. We have to manage all this with the hope that one day we'll have more time to recover players and better prepare for matches."

The goalkeeping debate remains open in the Copa del Rey in case Real Madrid were to advance in these semi-finals: "If Lunin would play the final? We have to see. It could be Lunin or Courtois. If both are injured, Fran Gonzalez. If we don't reach the final, none of the three will play."

He calmed Endrick, whom he sees ready and with options against Real Sociedad. "I don't know if he's worried, it doesn't seem like it to me. He's happy and working very well. I'm delighted with him and when I can, I give him minutes. He's always taken advantage of them. I see him calm, motivated, if he's worried, I don't know."

"Tomorrow he might have options because he's done very well in the Cup. The history of this club says that many players who are now starters have spent a lot of time on the bench. Vinicius for a couple of years, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Valverde. It's quite common. If you want to be at Madrid, you have to spend a bit of time on the bench," he assured."