Carlo Ancelotti praised the young players of Real Madrid for popping up and making a difference in their latest Copa del Rey victory on Wednesday.
Madrid reached the semi-final of the competition, despite the fact that a largely second string team was finished and defeated Leganes 3-2.
Ancelotti chose to let several important starters rest prior to the Liga Derby on Saturday against Atletico Madrid and the play-off collision of next week's Champions League in Manchester City.
After Juan Cruz scored twice for Leganes to cancel early goals by Luka Modric and Endrick, the 20-year-old Academy striker Gonzalo Garcia came from the bank to lead the winner of the stop time that really sent to the Semis.
“We must be very satisfied with what the young players have done tonight and we have to count on it,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“The Youth Academy is correct, those who work below are doing well and the players are prepared. Of course they miss experience, but that is actually all they need.
“If I put together a team, I do it to try to win the game, not to give minutes to the youth academy. But this year they had the opportunity due to injuries and other factors and it is really good.”
In addition to the 18-year-old Endrick and 19-year-old Arda Guller, who started before, Ancelotti gave 20-year-old Jacobo Ramon his first senior Start alongside fellow academic player Raul Asencio, who is a year older.
Endrick has now scored three goals in the Copa del Rey, more than any other player this season. But it was replacement Garcia who took the headlines by scoring the winner for a few minutes after he came from the bank, his first goal with the senior team.
“It was a competitive game. At the back we struggled a bit, Jacobo [Ramon] Felt the weight of playing his first game with us a bit, he was a bit nervous, but then he was more clinical as the game progressed, “said Ancelotti.
“Gonzalo [Garcia] is on a very good run with Castilla [Real Madrid’s reserve team]. Endrick scored and we have a good sense of the team to work.
“We have avoided extra time that would have cost more to recover. We have left players to be ready on Saturday, so we are ready for it [for Atletico]. “
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