Real Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey final after a breathtaking semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad, which ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The result secured Los Blancos’ progression with a 5-4 aggregate victory, but the chaotic nature of the match raised some concerns for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad.
For neutral fans, the game was a spectacle filled with attacking brilliance and defensive lapses. However, for Madrid supporters, conceding four goals at home highlighted vulnerabilities that could be costly in future matches.
Speaking after the game, head coach Ancelotti admitted that his team lacked defensive balance but praised their relentless attacking approach.
“It was an entertaining game with many mistakes, with many good things. It was amusing. We are in the final, and in the end, we have achieved our objective,” Ancelotti said. “I never thought we were going to be eliminated because anything can happen at the Bernabeu. When we have to come back, we never give up, especially at home with the fans.”
One of the match’s defining moments involved Antonio Rüdiger, who scored a crucial goal during extra time to keep Madrid’s hopes alive.
However, Ancelotti acknowledged that luck played a role in some of the goals conceded, particularly an unfortunate sequence involving David Alaba. “We had a bit of bad luck—Alaba touched the ball twice, and these things happen.
But conceding four goals is not good. We scored four, but we didn’t have balance. We are a team that has little balance but a lot in attack. Scoring four goals against Real Sociedad is not easy.”
Ancelotti also addressed a controversial moment when Real Sociedad midfielder Jon Olasagasti made a strong challenge on Vinicius Junior in extra time.
The Italian manager believed it warranted a red card but chose not to dwell on the referee’s decision. He also revealed that he had considered substituting Vinicius due to a lack of defensive effort before the Brazilian responded with a match-winning performance.
“For me, it was a red card. But I have nothing more to add,” Ancelotti stated. “I told him that he would be substituted if he didn’t defend. And from that conversation, Vini picked up the pace and brought out all his quality. He was very important in extra time, giving two assists.”
Despite the defensive concerns, Real Madrid’s attacking firepower once again proved decisive, and they now look forward to competing for another major trophy in the Copa del Rey final.
With their never-say-die attitude and home advantage proving crucial yet again, Los Blancos will aim to capitalize on their attacking prowess while addressing their defensive frailties before the final showdown.
