Carlo Ancelotti delivers two terrible pieces of news after Sociedad: “They are injured”

Real Madrid secured a vital win against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, but the victory came at a cost. Speaking after the match, Carlo Ancelotti confirmed two injury blows that could impact the team’s crucial upcoming fixtures.

The Madridistas left the Reale Arena with a hard-fought 1-0 win, thanks to a first-half strike from young Brazilian sensation Endrick. The 19-year-old forward continued his impressive form, stepping up when his team needed him most. However, the post-match atmosphere was dampened by Ancelotti’s concerning injury update.

Two players—Raúl Asencio and Dani Ceballos—picked up injuries during the match. While Asencio’s withdrawal at halftime was initially thought to be a tactical decision influenced by his early yellow card, Ancelotti clarified that the young defender had actually sustained an injury. Meanwhile, Ceballos was forced off towards the end of the match with what appeared to be a muscular issue.

“I took Raúl Asencio off because he was injured and had a yellow card,” Ancelotti told reporters. The Real Madrid boss then addressed the intense pressure his player faced during the game, revealing that the hostile environment also played a role in his substitution.

“Raúl Asencio was very affected. Imagine an entire stadium telling you to die… He was definitely not happy,” Ancelotti said, condemning the chants directed at his 21-year-old player. While the injury to Asencio does not appear to be serious, the same cannot be said for Ceballos.

🚨⚠️ Dani Ceballos leaves the pitch with an injury in the final minutes. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/hnfvIw9Kqi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2025

Ceballos, who has recently been enjoying a fine run of form, will undergo medical tests on Thursday to determine the severity of his injury. Ancelotti confirmed that the midfielder felt discomfort in the final minutes of the match, hinting at a potential muscular problem.

“Ceballos had a muscle issue at the end of the match and will undergo tests tomorrow,” Ancelotti said. Early reports suggest that the Spanish midfielder could be sidelined for three to four weeks due to a strain in the posterior region of his left thigh. If confirmed, this would be a significant setback for Real Madrid, given Ceballos’s recent performances.

Since stepping in for Toni Kroos, Ceballos has been instrumental in maintaining control in Madrid’s midfield. His vision, passing accuracy, and ability to dictate the tempo of games have made him a valuable asset, and his absence could pose problems for Ancelotti as Real Madrid continues to compete on multiple fronts.

With a packed schedule ahead—including the second leg against Real Sociedad and key La Liga fixtures—Madrid will have to find solutions to cope with these injuries. Ancelotti may turn to other midfield options, but losing Ceballos at such a crucial point in the season will be a tough pill to swallow.

For Asencio, the injury scare comes at a difficult time. The young center-back has been pushing for more minutes, and his performances have earned him praise. While his issue does not appear to be severe, Real Madrid’s medical team will continue to monitor his condition to avoid aggravating the problem.

Real Madrid’s growing injury list is becoming a concern. With Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and Thibaut Courtois already sidelined, the club can ill afford further setbacks. The depth of Ancelotti’s squad will be tested in the coming weeks.

Injuries aside, the victory against Real Sociedad keeps Madrid in a strong position to reach the Copa del Rey final. They will take a narrow lead into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where they will aim to finish the job in front of their home fans.

Ancelotti remains confident in his squad’s ability to overcome adversity. “We have players who can step up. That’s what this team is about,” he said. However, with fixtures coming thick and fast, every injury setback feels like a major blow.

All eyes will now be on the medical results for Ceballos and Asencio. Madridistas will be hoping for positive news, but there is a growing sense of concern as the team battles through a physically demanding campaign.

With the title race and Champions League knockouts looming, Real Madrid cannot afford to lose key players for an extended period. The coming days will determine how much these latest setbacks impact their season.