Real Madrid is still reeling from the humiliation (2:5) in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona. The Catalans have become specialists this season in dismantling the champions of Spain and Europe. Even in La Liga, at Montjuic, it was a resounding 4:0 victory for Hansi Flick’s team. Just when Real seemed to be getting back on track—when Kylian Mbappe started performing at his usual level, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side strung together four consecutive wins—a new debacle against their fierce rivals followed. Both the players and the Italian coach are facing heavy criticism, and the opportunity to recover from the loss of the trophy comes in today’s Round of 16 King’s Cup clash against Celta at the Santiago Bernabeu (23:30).🙌 ¡DÍA DE PARTIDO! 🙌🆚 @RCCelta🕰️ 21:30 CET🏟️ Santiago Bernabéu#️⃣ #LaCopaMola👉 @HP pic.twitter.com/KX2GAmc6r6— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 16, 2025 Ancelotti is not shirking responsibility. He didn’t point fingers at individuals, particularly at Tchouameni, who had a poor performance, but instead believes that the defeat happened because the entire team played poorly.”The lack of commitment is collective, not individual. It was a bad game defensively, but also in every line of the team. There’s nothing more to add,” Ancelotti said in his first statement after returning from Jeddah, where the trophy match was played last weekend.Stomp me once, shame on you. Stomp me twice, shame on meAncelotti says the season has been good so far and that the second loss of the season to Barcelona will not demoralize the team, and also mentioned Mbappe’s form. “It was a step backward, but we need to move forward. We are well-positioned in all competitions. It was a bad game with many mistakes. We want to respond the right way against Celta, a team that plays very well. I believe in the team that won the Champions League six months ago and the Club World Cup a month ago. I have confidence in all my players. I think Mbappe needed time to adapt to the team and get back to top physical condition. Now he’s in a very good place, and the team must take advantage of that” said Ancelotti. 🚨⚪️ Carlo Ancelotti on January signings for Real Madrid: “We didn’t change our mind”.“We talk about these things internally as Real Madrid will always be competitive. I don’t share in public the topics we discuss internally”. pic.twitter.com/bleaExBH0k— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2025 Many have criticized Real in recent days, including former star Predrag Mijatovic.”I don’t follow that. That’s how it is—one day you’re the best in the world, and the next day you’re the dumbest. I have the necessary balance that experience has given me to know who I am and to stay grounded. I’m not the best, but I don’t think I’m the dumbest either,” Ancelotti concluded. For the match against the team from Vigo, Ancelotti cannot count on Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba. Jesus Vallejo will also be unavailable, while young center-back Loren Aguado, who debuted for the first team earlier this year in the King’s Cup Round of 32, is once again in the squad.COPA DEL REY – ROUND OF 16TuesdayOurense – Valencia 0-2 (0-0)/Carmona 50 og, Sadiq 78/WednesdayAlmeria – Leganes 2-3 (1-1)/Suarez 38, Lazaro 52 – Altimira 33, Fuente 76(p), Garcia 86/Pontevedra – Getafe 0-1 (0-1)/Rodriguez 2/Barcelona – Betis 5-0 (2-0)/Gavi 3, Kounde 27, Raphinha 58, Torres 67, Yamal 75/Elche – Atl.Madrid 0-4 (0-2)/Sorloth 8, 29, Riquelme 61, Alvarez 75/Thursday21:30: (1.55) Ath.Bilbao (3.90) Osasuna (6.75)21:30: (1.65) Sociedad (3.60) Rayo Vallecano (6.00)23:30: (1.35) Real Madrid (5.30) Celta (8.00)***odds are subject to change***
