Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti has sent a blunt message to young striker Endrick, urging him to drop any antics and focus on his performance after a missed opportunity in their recent match against Getafe. The game concluded with a narrow 1-0 win for Los Blancos on a Wednesday that proved critical in the La Liga title race, as it reduced Barcelona’s lead at the top of the standings to just four points. This game became particularly significant, with the eternal rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona, set to clash in a potentially decisive encounter in May.
In the absence of star player Kylian Mbappe, the stage was set for Endrick to make his first league start since his transfer from Palmeiras last summer. However, the 18-year-old forward struggled to capitalize on the opportunities presented to him during the match. He squandered two chances, the second of which was particularly frustrating for Ancelotti. As he sped towards Getafe goalkeeper David Soria, Endrick attempted a delicate scoop over the keeper but failed miserably, sending the ball weakly into Soria’s waiting arms instead of the back of the net.
Ancelotti was critical of the choices made by the young Brazilian, suggesting that his attempts to be overly stylish and casual in his approach led to a lack of scoring. “He had two chances,” the coach assessed after the match. “With the first one, he couldn’t have done any better, but with the second one, he may have been offside, but he just can’t be doing that.” This commentary reflects Ancelotti’s frustration and his desire for the players to maintain a sharp focus and professionalism on the field.
He further elaborated on the need for Endrick to develop his skills beyond flair. “He’s young and he has to learn, but he also needs to shoot as well as possible and quit clowning around. There’s no room for drama club in football,” Ancelotti stated, making it evident that while he appreciates youthful exuberance, he values effectiveness in crucial moments of the game.
The sole goal of the match came from Arda Guler, who netted in the 21st minute, securing Real Madrid their third consecutive 1-0 victory in La Liga. Endrick’s performance, however, led to an early substitution in the 64th minute, with Jude Bellingham taking his place on the field. These decisions hint at Ancelotti’s strategy to maintain pressure on Barcelona, particularly as they gear up for a high-stakes Copa del Rey cup final against their rivals in the upcoming Saturday evening.
Despite the setbacks, Endrick has had a productive season overall, having scored seven goals while participating in 33 matches across all competitions for Los Blancos. His contributions will be critical as Real Madrid seeks to maintain competitive pace with Barcelona in the league, especially with the Copa del Rey encounter so imminent.
In summary, Carlo Ancelotti’s comments serve not just as a reprimand for Endrick but also as a reminder of the intense atmosphere and expectations surrounding Real Madrid. The focus will remain on further refining skills and the mental approach of younger players, as they aspire to be part of one of the most storied football clubs. With a crucial match on the horizon, all eyes will be on how both veteran players and promising young talents like Endrick respond to the challenges ahead.
