2 years ago
After being questioned about why Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard were put on the bench after Real Madrid's Copa Del Ray loss to Athletic Bilbao, Carlo Ancelotti became enraged.
On Thursday evening, Los Blancos were eliminated in the quarter-finals after Alex Berenguer scored the game's sole goal in the 89th minute.
Despite their inability to score against Bilbao, Ancelotti chose not to rely on Bale or Hazard to come off the bench and make a significant contribution.
Following the game, a Spanish reporter inquired as to whether Bale, Hazard, and striker Luka Jovic were used as substitutes. 'Why are you talking about Bale, Jovic, and Hazard?' Ancelotti responded in a video posted by Spanish publication AS Sport. Why don't you bring up [Daniel] Carvajal or [Daniel] Ceballos? 'Are they also supposed to be punished because they didn't play?' I made my decision, but if you were being honest, you'd include Ceballos, who didn't play a single minute, and the others who sat on the bench and didn't play. All of them are on the same level.'
Hazard appeared to be on the verge of being introduced after Ancelotti ordered him to prepare himself down the touchline. But he had the misfortune of returning to the dugout in his training bib, which elicited a chuckle from Welshman Bale, who sat in front of him on the bench.
The video was released by El Chiringuito, a Spanish television programme that has previously chastised Hazard and Bale for their performances and commitment to living in Madrid.
In the 75th minute, Ancelotti sent Hazard back to the bench, replacing Toni Kroos with Eduardo Camavinga, a teenager.
The Italian had already substituted Isco for Vinicius, but neither the Spaniard nor Camavinga had an impact on the game. Bale was also an unused substitute, and he hasn't had the best of luck for Real Madrid this season, having made just three appearances since August.
After a tumultuous relationship with Madrid, the fans, and the media, the Welshman's contract will end this summer, and he appears destined to go.
Hazard, who cost £150 million from Chelsea, has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season, with the majority of them coming off the bench. The Belgian's contract is up in two years, although he has been heavily linked with a move away, with Newcastle being mentioned as a possible destination in January.
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