Saudi Arabia coach Carlo Ancelotti was not surprised when Real Madrid beat Atletico 5-3 in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final and praised the team for always fighting to the end.
"There's nothing new, comebacks like today are in Real's DNA," Ancelotti said after the game in Saudi Arabia. "It's a good learning experience for the young players, that Real never give up. You can concede first, but never surrender."
Coach Ancelotti (right) during Real's 5-3 comeback win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on January 10. Photo: realmadrid.com
Ancelotti's Real have created some incredible comeback wins on their way to winning the 2021-2022 Champions League. In the semi-finals, Real were trailing 0-1 to Man City until the end of regulation time. But Rodrygo scored two goals in the 90th and 90+1 minutes to force the second leg into extra time. Then Karim Benzema scored a penalty to complete the comeback.
The Royal team also won in a similar scenario in the second leg of the quarter-finals. At that time, they were even three goals behind Chelsea until the 80th minute, and faced the risk of being eliminated with a final result of 3-4. But Rodrygo scored to bring the match to two extra times. Here, Benzema headed in to seal the result 5-4.
In the second leg of the round of 16, they were also two goals down over two legs by PSG. But Benzema's 17-minute hat-trick helped the Spanish side create one of the most incredible comebacks in Champions League history, also at the Bernabeu.
At Al Awwal Stadium, Riyadh on January 10, Ancelotti and his team had a similarly emotional victory. Atletico took the lead in the 8th minute thanks to an aerial strike from Mario Hermoso, but then Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy scored to give Real the advantage. Atletico took the lead again thanks to a goal from Antoine Griezmann and an own goal from Rudiger. Real continued to show their mettle when they equalized in the 85th minute with a rebound from Dani Carvajal, sending the semi-final into extra time.
In the 30 minutes of added time, the difference was made when two late substitutes from Real shone. Striker Joselu headed home to make it 4-2, then Brahim Diaz sprinted in and slotted into an empty net in the second minute of extra time to seal a 5-3 win.
Joselu (in white) headed the ball to make it 4-3 for Real in their 5-3 win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on January 10. Photo: realmadrid.com
"Joselu, Diaz, the players who came on to win the game gave me confidence," Ancelotti said of the changes that made the difference against Atletico. "That gave the coaching staff confidence that the team was motivated. That's the only way to win these tough games."
The Italian coach admitted to being worried when Real conceded three goals, especially the first goal when Hermoso headed in unmarked. For the second goal, Ancelotti assessed that Griezmann handled the ball well and then finished with a classy right-footed shot. He also wants the Spanish Super Cup matches to go to penalties if they are tied after 90 minutes, instead of extra time.
Asked about celebrating moderately after each goal and after the final whistle, the 64-year-old coach replied: "I think you have to be calm, because the game has a lot of emotions. There are still at least 90 minutes left to win the title. That is our target."
What worries Ancelotti ahead of the final is the physical strength of his players, as Real have to play 120 intense minutes, despite having the advantage of one more day off. Real's Super Cup opponents in the final on January 14 are the winners of the second semi-final between Barca and Osasuna today. "There are four days to go but the wear and tear is terrible," Ancelotti said. "The match was difficult, constantly changing and both teams fought a lot. In the end, we won because we were stronger at the end."
Hong Duy
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