Real Madrid fans made their voices heard during the team’s dramatic 5-2 Copa del Rey quarterfinal win over Celta Vigo on Thursday.
The Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was filled with whistles and boos when two late Celta goals cancelled out the hosts’ 2-0 lead, leaving coach Carlo Ancelotti to reflect on the fans’ frustrations.
“They whistled tonight for that wake-up call,” said Ancelotti after the match. “When the match got complicated, they pushed us, and that’s special.”
The boos came in the wake of Madrid’s recent Supercopa de Espana loss to Barcelona, a defeat that seems to have left supporters uneasy.
Madrid initially seemed in control until a pair of defensive mistakes allowed Celta Vigo back into the game late.
A brace from Endrick and a stunner from Fede Valverde helped Madrid recover in extra time, securing the win and a place in the semi-finals.
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Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo: Ancelotti reflects on the rollercoaster match
The Italian coach described the game as a mix of highs and lows.
“When the game was almost over, we gave away two goals and opened it up,” Ancelotti admitted.
“It was a good game until the 70th minute, and then we gave away two goals. But we reacted well in extra time, and everything went well.”
Ancelotti also praised young star Endrick, who scored twice. “Endrick showed his quality; he has an extraordinary shot,” he noted.
Another young player, Arda Güler, was commended for his composure during a difficult phase of the game.
Addressing the defensive lapses, Ancelotti said, “There was bad positioning. We try to train not to make these kinds of mistakes and not to slow down.”
As for the whistles from the home crowd, Ancelotti took them in stride. “It’s acceptable because of what happened against Barcelona,” he said.