The opening game of 2023 concluded with a win and a place in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, as Real Madrid got the better of Cacereño at the Estadio Príncipe Felipe thanks to Rodrygo's 69th-minute moment of magic. Madridistas were welcomed by many fans in Caceres. The team managed to play a good game in front of a full stadium, using less resources and keeping in mind the demanding schedule of this month.
The first chance of the night fell to Cacereño, when Carmelo's effort was blocked by Ceballos. Shortly after, Madrid could have opened the scoring, as Lucas Vázquez had the ball in the back of the net following Asensio's driven cross, only for the referee to pull it back for off-side against the Mallorca-born winger. Our team continued to push on, with Ceballos trying his luck from distance (16’), and just past the half-hour mark, Militão got his head to Asensio's corner. Three minutes on, Cacereño tested Lunin through Manchón, but it was Ceballos who enjoyed the final opportunity of the first half, his fierce right-footed strike from outside the box narrowly missing the target.
The intensity of play shot up a notch after the restart, but neither side was unable to carve out any clear chances until the 60th minute. Asensio almost notched the opener for Ancelotti‘s side when he fired in a left-footed strike that was punched away by Iván. The hosts responded two minutes later through Manchón’s long-range drive.
However, the madridistas got the breakthrough on 69’ courtesy of a moment of magic by Rodrygo. The Brazilian showed neat footwork to squeeze between two defenders before curling the ball into the far top corner to make it 0-1. The Whites hung on to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in the press room at the Estadio Príncipe Felipe following the victorty in Cáceres: “Rodrygo produced a moment of brilliance. It was a tight game, hard-fought. There was lots of fight on display, a lot of long balls. The team got the job done and I’m pleased because it wasn't the kind of match we're used to. I was impressed with Hazard's performance. It's tough to assess how the players did today because it was impossible to play. It was a real long-ball game and the smaller players like Hazard and Rodrygo struggled. He delivered during the time he was on the pitch and did what was asked of him”.
Second clean sheet in a row: “I never felt in danger in the tie. Individual quality came up against a pitch where we couldn't pass the ball crisply. That's why we opted for more long balls and we were able to adapt. I like what I saw all round, from start to finish. We knew we'd be up against it in this kind of atmosphere. We didn't take any risks at the back and we've kept a clean sheet for the second game in a row. You can’t play football like this. For me, this isn’t football. It’s another nice sport because smaller teams go up against bigger ones. It’s good for the fans, but they also want to watch good football.”
Cacereño: “They played really well, closed us down and pressed high up the pitch. We didn’t keep hold of the ball enough and we didn’t perform how we normally do, but we were competitive.”
On lifting the Copa del Rey trophy: “The team has the quality to compete for every competition it’s in.
Andriy Lunin, who guarded the goal for Real Madrid in the game vs Cacereno, also spoke for the media after the victory. Lunin reflected on the team's efforts: “We knew the team and the pitch that awaited us here. They're a strong, competitive side, it's a tough place to come and their fans really got behind them. In the end, it's been a good night for us, which is the most important thing".
He added: “One of the big differences is that we didn't have much of the ball. That was down to the pitch, we struggled to get on the ball and play the football we're used to playing. That made it difficult, playing long all the time and battling to win our duels. But we have to win these kinds of games as well”.
Clean sheet: “I’m pleased with the clean sheet, but that’s down to the whole team. We had to work hard for it, and I’d like to thank the team. The most important thing is the win and we have to keep going.”
Congested fixture schedule: “The gaffer and coaching staff manage it really well. We train well and practically everyone has their own programme. They prepare us well. We’re well up for playing in every competition.”
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