Modric, Kroos key despite Madrid 'transition' - Ancelotti / Photo: Tiziana FABI - AFP/File
-
Trump orders new strikes on Iran over attacks on shipping in Hormuz
-
US man sentenced after swapping 17th century manuscript
-
PSG's Lee set to join Atletico Madrid
-
US launches new strikes on Iran after Trump vows to hit 'hard'
-
Iran plays with fire, but calculates Trump will hold back
-
Taylor Swift fans pay $25 for garbage from outside wedding
-
Oil surges, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over
-
After quakes, Venezuelans fear losing damaged homes
-
Meta to build $9 billion data center in western Canada
-
PSG's Lee set to join Athletico
-
Rogers backs Kane to outshine Haaland in World Cup showdown
-
Erdogan gave pistols to NATO leaders, Starmer says
-
Some US Fed officials considered June rate hike on war fallout
-
Nocera Expands Diversified Technology Strategy With Binding Agreement to Acquire an Equity Interest in INERGX, an Integrated Energy Storage and Power Platform for AI, Defense and Mission-Critical Demand
-
UN launches appeal for nearly $300 mn in Venezuela quake relief
-
China sends nuclear missile message as US looks elsewhere
-
US to remove Syria from terror blacklist, in new boost to Sharaa
-
Justin Bieber added to 11-minute World Cup final halftime show
-
Court rejects Trump request to restore his name to Kennedy Center
-
Fery targets Wimbledon final birthday present after royal seal of approval
-
MLB pitching great Verlander to retire after 2026 season
-
Egypt file complaint against referee after World Cup exit
-
Artificial cloud brightening could tame El Nino, but with risks: study
-
Women's semi-finalists in uncharted territory at Wimbledon
-
Shocked and shaken, Venezuela quake survivors get psychological help
-
US man jailed after swapping 17th century manuscript
-
France, Morocco kick off blockbuster World Cup quarter-finals
-
UN maritime head urges halt to Hormuz transit to protect seafarers
-
Amorim hails 'ambitious' AC Milan, promises to learn Italian
-
Trump skips new Air Force One on return from Turkey NATO summit
-
Cancer survivor Traeen takes the long road to Tour yellow
-
New York building that buckled now 'stable,' says mayor
-
Easing Russian Olympic restrictions 'terrible', says Wimbledon star Kostyuk
-
UN says pledges for global connectivity project pass $100 bn
-
'Unbelievable' Kooij wins Tour de France 5th stage in chaotic sprint finish
-
McIlroy hoping for 'home' comforts at Scottish, British Opens
-
Britain's Fery to face Zverev in Wimbledon semi-finals
-
Noskova aims to emulate Kvitova after reaching first Wimbledon semi
-
Zverev sees off Fritz to make first Wimbledon semi-final
-
Britain's Fery becomes first wildcard to reach Wimbledon semis in 25 years
-
Barcelona sets new heat record at 40.7C: weather agencies
-
Korda chases third major as Kim revisits Evian-winning chip
-
'The Pitt,' 'Hacks' lead Emmy nominations
-
Kooij wins Tour de France 5th stage in chaotic sprint finish
-
France lose appeal against Olise booking at World Cup
-
Trump says Ukraine can make Patriot missiles
-
Putellas joins star cast at London City Lionesses
-
Teenager arrested after two girls wounded in Germany school attack
-
Oil back at $80, stocks slide as Trump says Iran ceasefire over
-
Farage vs Count Binface: hard-right leader's UK poll gambit
Modric, Kroos key despite Madrid 'transition' - Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday veteran midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are still key for Real Madrid even though he dropped the pair last weekend.
Los Blancos won 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and the duo appeared from the bench, with Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos starting ahead of them.
Modric, 37, and Kroos, 33 -- both out of contract at the end of the season -- face stiff internal competition this season, with Ancelotti highlighting that Madrid are in a period of transition.
"They are professionals and understand what this club means," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final with Atletico Madrid.
"They know the quality this squad has and I don't think I have to explain anything.
"We've been speaking from the start of the season about this topic, it's a moment of transition and everyone has to understand it, the young players and the veterans."
Modric joined Real Madrid in 2012 while Kroos arrived in 2014 and together they have formed an essential part of the team's success.
They have won three La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues together, among other silverware.
Until this season they had Casemiro behind them too, but the Brazilian moved to Manchester United last summer, with Aurelien Tchouameni taking that role this season.
Ancelotti said despite being dropped against Athletic, the duo will still play an essential role for Madrid.
"Of course they can play together, they are performing this season and have been key, and they will keep on being so," added the coach.
Ancelotti admitted that Fede Valverde, another midfield option, has not hit his best form again after the World Cup.
The Uruguayan was spectacular in the first half of the campaign but is struggling to return to those heights.
"He's not at his best level, he's progressing, he's performing -- not like in the first half of the season, I consider that normal given the World Cup," said Ancelotti.
"We have to be patient. We're not asking him to score goals, we're asking him to deliver defensively and in attack, and when he's back to his best he will score again."
D.Lopez--AT