Real Madrid coach Ancelotti: Hazard and Isco won Copa tie for us | OneFootball

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised their support cast after Thursday night's Copa del Rey win against Elche.

Los Blancos were on the ropes at 1-0 down in extra-time, but recovered through late strikes from Isco and Eden Hazard. But going through to the quarter-finals has its drawbacks, as it means more matches for Los Blancos in an already congested calendar.

"What can I say?" Ancelotti told the press afterwards. "The schedule is nonsense.

"It has to change, they [the authorities] need to realise what they are doing."

On a brighter note, Ancelotti praised the impact of his two goalscorers.

"Isco and Hazard won the game for us," Ancelotti said.

"This game can change things for them. They maybe should've been playing more, but the past is the past.

"I know I can count on them. I told the players beforehand that the game could go the distance, and that we had to be ready for anything.

"And it [the game] made me more happy than any other, seeing the fantastic, professional squad I have. Their character shone through."

Ancelotti also praised Marcelo, who was sent off in extra-time for a foul as the last man but contributed to some of his side's best moments.

"He [Marcelo] told me he didn't touch him [Elche forward Tete Morente]," Ancelotti said.

"I haven't seen the replay but I've got to believe my captain.

"It was a tough decision, like the disallowed goal at the end [for Elche]. I thought that one was a foul, but they weren't easy decisions to get right."