Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti Downplays Reports Of Feud With Rodrygo After Subbing Him Off

Carol Ancelotti played down the rollicking he gave Rodrygo when he took the Brazilian off in the second half of Real Madrid's dramatic win over Villarreal.

'I told him not to forget to offer me his hand when he was substituted. I think he forgot,' said the Italian coach after the 3-2 win.

Ancelotti could be seen talking sternly to the winger as he sat long-faced on the bench after being replaced by eventual match winner Dani Ceballos.

Ancelotti said he was delighted with the win adding: 'We were not good in the first half but the team showed great character in the second. We fought for everything and changed the story of the game.'

The victory will ease the pressure building on Ancelotti although there maybe more fires to put out in the coming days. 

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni was watching the NBA Chicago Bulls v Detroit Pistons game in Paris as his team toiled at the Ceramica Stadium. The France midfielder is recovering from an injury and was unavailable for the game.