Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has said Luka Modric and Toni Kroos understand that the team’s “moment of transition” means they won’t start every game.
Ancelotti, however, backed the two midfielders to still be “decisive” starting with their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
Modric and Kroos were left on the substitutes bench for Madrid’s 2-0 win in LaLiga at Athletic Club on Sunday.
Both were brought on in the second half, with Kroos scoring in the 90th minute.
“They’re professionals. They understand what this club is and the quality of this squad. I don’t need to explain the fact that sometimes they don’t play.
“It’s a moment of transition in the squad that everyone has to understand. It’s about the understanding of the veterans and the patience of the youngsters. That was important to our success last season too,” Ancelotti told a news conference on Wednesday.