Carlo Ancelotti praised one of his Real Madrid players as a “gift” to soccer following a 5-0 Copa del Rey victory against Deportivo Minera on Monday night.

The Italian coach opted for a second-string lineup, giving two young players their senior debuts.

“They demonstrated their talent. It’s a valuable experience for them to train and gain minutes with us. They are young, along with others, and possess significant quality. We consistently monitor and assess their progress,” Ancelotti stated after the match.

Despite the youthful lineup that included Endrick and Arda Guler, who scored twice, the elder statesman was captain Luka Modric.

Ancelotti described the Croatian as a “gift for football.” He noted, “Especially for those who get to witness him closely: the fans, teammates, and the coaching staff at Real Madrid. For me, he’s an incredible asset, particularly due to how he approaches these games. He treats them like finals, setting a strong example for the younger players.”

Although Endrick didn’t score, Ancelotti believed he “played well.”

“Goals are just a detail. He moved well, had opportunities, and his positioning was effective. He just needs to improve his accuracy, but his overall performance was strong. He was a threat on the right side. He needs to be patient; the goals will come when we need them,” Ancelotti asserted.

Fede Valverde, who opened the scoring, also impressed Ancelotti. “He was excellent,” the coach remarked about the Uruguayan. “He played 45 minutes, which was beneficial for him. He left Valencia feeling fresh. We’ve managed the minutes for others well. He’s in great shape.”

Ancelotti also touched on Vinicius Jr.’s potential suspension after his red card in the Valencia match. “We don’t anticipate any sanctions. He doesn’t need extra support; he’s among the best in the world and has won two Champions Leagues. The Madrid fans adore him, and that’s why he performs so well,” Ancelotti concluded.