Real Madrid’s manager praises bench players, highlights youngsters’ contributions to team

Turkish midfielder ‘Arda (Guler) is another player who could have played more if he hadn't had the injuries he's had,’ says Carlo Ancelotti

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised the team’s bench players Monday and said if Turkish midfielder Arda Guler hadn't struggled with injury problems, he could have played more.

Ahead of the Alaves game on matchday 36, when asked which player has surprised him the most this season, Ancelotti said: "The ones I knew the least. Fran Garcia, who has done very well, especially at the beginning. Joselu and Brahim have also done very well."

Ancelotti stressed that their squad surprised him on a general level, with the team performing fantastically.

He said the club has footballers who could have contributed more if he had given them more minutes, adding that Dani "Ceballos, for example, hasn't had the minutes he deserved for various reasons."

"Arda is another player who could have played more if he hadn't had the injuries he's had," the 64-year-old Italian added.

On May 4, Real Madrid sealed their 36th Spanish La Liga title after Barcelona were handed a 4-2 loss at Girona.

Los Blancos (The Whites) have collected 90 points in the La Liga standings.

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