Real Madrid completed a formality and returned to Cartagonova to qualify for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey after defeating Deportiva Minera 5-0.
Goals from Valverde, Camavinga, Güler (2), and Modric sealed the deal. They marked the difference that exists today between the two teams. Although Ancelotti's Real Madrid showed up with many absences at Cartagonova.
Endrick: Missed Opportunity
However, it still featured in its line-up a rarely seen star whose market value is 60 million euros. Endrick returned to the starting team, but was unnoticed. An opportunity wasted, and there have been many.
The match had no story. Real Madrid, far superior, barely found opposition in a Deportiva Minera that didn't have the game of their lives, as they intended.
The European champion faced a Segunda Federación team. What had to happen happened: 5-0.
There could have been many more. The positive part was the youth players who left an excellent impression.
Three youth players debuted: Lorenzo, Diego Aguado, and Chema. However, the most notable was the brace and the details left by Arda Güler, plus the excellent performance of Modric. This confirms that it is a risk (or a sin) that Brahim doesn't have a place in the starting eleven of this team.
The negative side was Endrick once again. The Brazilian doesn't take advantage of the opportunities presented to him, and Ancelotti is starting to get very fed up with him.
Endrick Has No Place in This Real Madrid
As of today, Endrick has no place in this Real Madrid. He already knows it from Carlo Ancelotti, but he refuses to go on loan. He fears that if he leaves Bernabéu, he won't return.
Modric, on the other hand, takes advantage of every opportunity presented to him; so do Brahim and Arda Güler. Real Madrid played with the thought of avoiding injuries that could affect the Super Cup taking place at the end of the week in Arabia.
There, the whites will compete for the third title of the season after the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Five minutes were enough for Valverde to settle the game. Then four more goals came, none of which were scored by Endrick.
Ancelotti Rewards the Crowd with Mbappé and Vinícius
Endrick has been of no use for Ancelotti in recent weeks. He did nothing against Minera to change his situation, however. Not precisely due to lack of opportunities.
Ancelotti doesn't trust him and has warned him that a loan is what would suit him best. At his age, he can't remain on the bench as a regular. Despite that, he refuses to leave Real Madrid, fearing not being able to return.
So here we are: Endrick is possibly the biggest disappointment in Florentino Pérez's transfer management in recent years.
Lorenzo and Diego Aguado, as well as Asencio, barely had any work in defense. Fran García, running the wing, stood out more.
In the end, Ancelotti put Mbappé and Vinícius on the field, thinking about the crowd that had paid for the ticket. Done like dinner. Long live the Spanish Super Cup!
Technical Sheet
Real Madrid 5 - 0 Deportiva Minera
Deportiva Minera: Fran Martínez, Heredero (Sheffield 46’), Molina, Vera (Raúl 76’), Britos, Ferrón, Monty (Baradji 46’), Petcoff, Perdomo, Pipo, and José Mas
Real Madrid: Lunin, Lorenzo (Lucas 61’), Asencio, Diego Aguado, Fran García, Camavinga (Mbappé 62’), Valverde (Ceballos 46’), Modric (Chema 61’), Arda Güler, Brahim (Vinícius 61’), and Endrick
Goals: 1-0 Valverde (4’), 2-0 Camavinga (12’), 3-0 Güler (28’), 4-0 Modric (54’), 5-0 Güler (88')
Referee: Alberola Rojas. Yellow card to Heredero
Stadium: Cartagonova.