Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti appeared at a press conference to discuss tomorrow's match against Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Anoeta Stadium.

The coach said: "It has always been difficult to play against Real Sociedad. They are in a good moment. It’s a semi-final match, and it’s important for us and for them. It will be a very competitive and enjoyable match; they are playing really well, and we want to continue with the same momentum."

Regarding Kylian Mbappe's fitness: "He had a tooth problem today, but he will travel with us; anyone who travels has a chance to play in the match, including Endrick."

On Javier Tebas's statements against Real Madrid: "Tebas talks too much about Real Madrid and does not respect the millions of Real Madrid fans. There are more important issues in Spanish football, and the president of La Liga should focus on solving them."

About Arda Güler's situation: "Any player with any questions can come to the office and talk to me. I talk with Endrick and all the young players. I read that there is an issue with Güler, but it hasn't reached me; it’s a process that all young players go through like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Valverde. He needs time to become part of the best team in the world; the competition is very high, and everyone needs to understand that."

He continued about the criticism against him: "It's a problem of the veterans. Veterans are like grandparents who are filled with talk every day. There are people tired of seeing my face every day. I understand that, but the veteran warrior, I see myself as a child, and I have the enthusiasm of a child. Only age judges me. Young people cannot gain experience; only time gives you that. That’s not the only thing. Knowledge too. But after 40 years in football, I understood this."

He added: "Fede Valverde could return to the right-back position, but we have to see what kind of lineup I will choose. I won’t say, I’ve thought about it already, but I won’t talk about it here."

He noted: "I won’t interfere in Modric's contract renewal issue; it’s a matter between the club and the players. It was with Nacho, with Kroos, with Modric himself; the legend has the right to do what he wants; this is the club's idea; they will make the best decision for everyone."

He continued: "If I say that Raul Asensio has a technical weakness, I am wrong; he is young, and we are working with him as we do with all the young players in the youth academy. The young player learns a lot. We didn’t work with him on the technical side; we worked on the tactical side. Sometimes aggression is not the best thing to do, especially in the penalty area, because you can commit a mistake that leads to a penalty. But we worked on this; he is performing very well. Raul surprised everyone, including me."

He followed: "There is a good atmosphere within the team; Mbappe arrived with great humility and at a very humble level. The atmosphere has improved, and there is much more confidence because one of the best players in the world has arrived. On the ego level, nothing changes. We have lost important pieces on the personality level that need to be replaced. We lost Nacho, Kroos, and Carvajal... these pieces shape the atmosphere, and little by little, young players like Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, Vinicius, and Rodrygo need to take a bigger role."

He continued: "Looking at the schedule we have, we are doing very well. All the teams that struggle and fight are doing very well. In 50 days, we have played 17 matches; it’s incredible. I feel tired, and you feel tired. From what I hear and see, we need rest."

Regarding whether Endrick is similar to Vinicius and Rodrygo: "Due to Endrick’s characteristics, he does not resemble Vinicius or Rodrygo; he has different characteristics. He will be a great forward; I have no doubt about that."

He concluded about Güler: "I am with him every day. I see him somewhat happy every day, and that’s normal. I don’t want to see a player happy when he doesn’t play. I see a player working, learning, and wanting to play. This is a small part of the time I spend with him. He spends a lot of time with other people. I don’t know if they have the same idea that I have with him."