Summary: Real Madrid wins the Spanish King's Cup after a 1:2 victory over Osasuna in the final (Sport1)
The Real Madrid coach saw his two Brazilians star in the King's Cup final yesterday (Saturday), and they promise him another year at Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti praised Vinicius Jr. as "unstoppable" and Rodrigo as "spectacular" after the two Brazilian strikers combined to give Real Madrid a 2-1 Copa del Rey final win over Osasuna.
Rodrigo scored after just two minutes at the La Cartuja stadium in Seville - after Vinicius provided the excellent assist - and again in the second half after another breakthrough by Vinicius, after Lucas Toro equalized Osasuna 1:1 provisionally.
Karim Benzema and Real Madrid players lift the 2023 King's Cup after victory in the final over Osasuna (Photo: Reuters)
The Copa del Rey was the only title Ancelotti failed to win in his last two years as Real Madrid manager after winning the championship, the Spanish Supercopa and the Champions League in 2021-22, and the Club World Cup and European Supercup earlier this season.
Meaning: she won six titles under Ancelotti in 475 days.
Real president Florentino Perez said after the win that "he has a contract here for another season, and we are very happy with him".
"We played well for 30 minutes, Vinicius was unstoppable," Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference.
"After that we lost our nerves a bit. The team was not calm. I calmed them down a bit at halftime."
Vinicius was booked before the break after arguing with Osasuna players and the referee, while television cameras also showed him confronting Osasuna striker Chimi Avila on the way down the tunnel.
After Rodrigo's winning goal, he was seen teasing an opposing player.
"He is a great player, but a small professional," wrote in "Sport" about Vinicius, who did not shake the hands of the referees at the start, and often protested and complained about their every decision.
Vinicius next to Eder Militau, Real Madrid players celebrate winning the cup (Photo: Reuters)
"This team has to do one thing, that's play football, that's what we do well," Ancelotti said.
"Anything else means losing control, and concentration. We have to play football. The second half didn't start well, they equalized, and fortunately Rodrigo changed the dynamic."
"We don't know what Rodrigo's ceiling is," added Ancelotti.
"It's hard to say. He's a very elegant player, he can score goals, and he's progressing spectacularly."
Madrid president Florentino Perez described Vinicius as "the best in the world in his position".
"It's hard to stop him," Peres said.
"Whoever marks him has to commit a lot of offenses. He complains and he gets a ticket, but I don't understand it, we have to protect players who put on a show."
Rodrigo, who won the title of the best player of the final, does not think that this is the highlight of his career.
"The [Champions League] semi-final against Manchester City [last season] was the most special. It may be in the top 3, but nothing compares to this game against City," said Rodrigo.
"I don't know what happens to me in these factories, in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
"I have to follow the example of those who are here, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, they always want to win more.
On Tuesday (in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals) we have the most important game of the season."
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