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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has explained that, due to tiredness, attacker Rodrygo didn't play in the 2-1 friendly loss to Barcelona on Saturday (August 3) at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Coming to the game, Barca took the lead through Pau Victor in the 42nd minute before scoring again nine minutes into the second period to put his team in the ascendancy.
Los Blancos pulled one back through Nico Paz eight minutes from time, but an equaliser wasn't to be as Ancelotti's side slumped to consecutive losses to open the pre-season.
However, the Italian boss is not seemingly worried about the result, as he dwelled on the positives, like teenage defender Joan Martinez's performance. He also explained why Rodrygo didn't feature in the clash (as per Managing Madrid):
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"Rodrygo didn’t play because he was a bit tired, and I think he’s going to play 45 minutes next game.”
About the game, Ancelotti said:
“It was a game with good intensity and good plays. Obviously, we continue our line of preparation, little by little the players are coming back. We take advantage of these matches to give minutes, and we continue."
It's pertinent to note that Rodrgyo is coming off a long season with Los Blancos, winning three titles, including the La Liga-UEFA Champions League double. He also featured for Brazil at the 2024 Copa America, where the Selecao lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-final.
What's next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid have lost both their games in their pre-season tour of the US, having gone down to AC Milan by a solitary goal earlier in the week before losing to Barcelona.
Los Blancos close out their pre-season tour with a clash with Premier League giants Chelsea on Tuesday (August 6) at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.
Ancelotti's side opened the new campaign against reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on August 14 before commencing their La Liga title defense at Mallorca four days later.
