“He’s not the same anymore”: Ancelotti’s major concern ahead of Copa del Rey final vs Barcelona

As the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona approaches, Carlo Ancelotti is grappling with a key concern—Dani Ceballos. The Spanish midfielder, recently returned from injury, started against Athletic Bilbao but failed to impress, casting doubt over his chances of featuring in the final.

Ancelotti had a clear intention last weekend: test Ceballos and determine if he could still be a viable option for the remainder of the season. But after 60 lackluster minutes, the verdict was sobering. Ceballos lacked the spark, the urgency, the drive. His touches were hesitant, his movement uninspired. For a player trying to win back trust, the performance fell flat.

“He’s not the same since his injury,” a member of the coaching staff quietly confided to Defensa Central. The comment may be whispered, but the implication is loud and clear: Ceballos is not at the level required for a Clasico final.

Ancelotti’s gaze never wavered during the match. He studied Ceballos’ every step, every pass, every duel. And what he saw offered no comfort. Against a resurgent Barcelona, sharp in their tactical structure and brimming with confidence, Real Madrid can’t afford any weak links. Right now, Ceballos looks like one.

Next Saturday’s final represents more than just a trophy. It’s a final chapter in a complicated season for Los Blancos. After a humiliating Champions League exit to Arsenal, the Copa del Rey is their last hope for silverware—and redemption. A Clasico only amplifies the stakes.

But Ancelotti faces more than just tactical dilemmas. His squad is drained—mentally and physically. Eduardo Camavinga is suspended. Ferland Mendy remains sidelined. Luka Modric is being preserved carefully. Federico Valverde is running on fumes. Now, the Ceballos issue adds another layer to the crisis.

The bench, once a sanctuary of fresh legs and new ideas, now feels thin. Ancelotti, a manager known for loyalty to his veterans, may have no choice but to shake things up. The final cannot be approached with routine choices. It demands boldness.

And yet, Ceballos refuses to surrender. Publicly and privately, he insists he’s ready. He’s working hard, clinging to the hope that he can contribute—even if not fully match-fit. He understands time is against him. His contract expires in 2025, and this might be his final audition for a future in Madrid’s white shirt.

But the pressure is immense. Ancelotti himself is under scrutiny, and he cannot afford risky gambles. Trusting Ceballos now might be one risk too many. The coach needs certainty, not sentiment.

Beyond the individual case of Ceballos lies a bigger issue: Real Madrid’s growing predictability. The squad relies heavily on moments of brilliance from stars like Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé. But when they’re neutralized, there’s a creative vacuum. No system, no rhythm, just isolated efforts.

Ancelotti has hinted at structural problems. “We need deep changes,” he admitted recently, a subtle but telling sign that he’s aware the machine is stalling. Whether he’s around next season to oversee those changes is unclear. But he wants to go out on a high note.

For that, he needs players who can rise to the moment. Right now, Dani Ceballos isn’t convincing anyone that he can. His journey back from injury has been bumpy, and time is not on his side.

Saturday’s Clasico final won’t wait. Decisions must be made. Risks must be calculated. And as Ancelotti contemplates his lineup, Ceballos stands as the great uncertainty—a talent with potential, but perhaps not the firepower needed for one of the most decisive games of the season.

This isn’t just about a cup. It’s about pride. Legacy. The weight of a club demanding glory. And Ancelotti must choose carefully who to trust in the heat of battle. Right now, Ceballos is on the outside looking in.