Real Madrid had to work hard to overcome Leganés in the Copa del Rey round of 32. Carlo Ancelotti's team arrived at the match with numerous significant absences, including Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, and Éder Militão. Additionally, Kylian Mbappé, who is expected to join the team in the summer, was also unavailable.
In this situation, the Italian coach opted for a line-up with many new faces, giving opportunities to young talents. In defense, academy players Asensio and Jacobo formed the central defense pair.
In attack, he went for Ibrahim, Arda Güler, Rodrygo, and up front, the Brazilian Endrick, who had important minutes. In the midfield, Luka Modrić's experience joined Aurélien Tchouaméni in the center.
Madrid started with a good rhythm and quickly went up 0-2. However, Leganés didn't give up and managed to equalize, putting the white team in trouble. Madrid sealed the victory in the final minutes, showing that the Copa del Rey is not easy.
Tchouaméni, singled out by Ancelotti
One of the standout names of the match was Tchouaméni. The French midfielder occupied his usual position as a pivot, but his performance didn't fully convince. In recent matches, he has made mistakes that have raised doubts about his performance in that position.
After the match, Ancelotti spoke in a press conference about the player's role and sent a message:
"Tchouaméni was very happy today playing as a pivot, and I told him not to be too happy." The coach hinted that although Tchouaméni feels comfortable playing as a midfielder, he still has room for improvement. The demand at Real Madrid is high, and the Italian wants the Frenchman to raise his level in the upcoming matches.
A role in discussion
Tchouaméni has alternated his position on the field throughout the season. Although he arrived as a defensive midfielder, Ancelotti has tried him several times as a central defender due to absences in defense. However, it seems that in neither position does he fully convince.
With the gradual recovery of some players and the possible arrival of reinforcements, the Frenchman's future in the starting eleven is not guaranteed. He needs to demonstrate that he can be the leader of Madrid's midfield and that he is up to the club's demands. The next match will be crucial to see if Ancelotti continues to trust him or if he starts looking for other alternatives.