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Fans reacted as Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti started Federico Valverde for their Copa del Rey opener at Deportivo Mineiro on Monday (January 7).
Los Blancos have had a decent season overall as they embarked on their cup campaign. Ancelotti's side are two points off La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid but have a game in hand.
However, fans aren't enthused with the Italian starting Valverde in midfield in a game where the Uruguayan could have been rested.
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One tweeted:
"Valverde will never get rested."
Another chimed in:
"Valve doing slave shifts ngl"
There were similar reactions from other fans, with one posting:
"Valverde that should be resting"
Another wrote:
"Carlo intentionally using Valverde like a bar of soap"
One fan wrote:
"Are you trying to run Valverde to the ground? Let him rest ffs"
Valverde has been a key player for Los Blancos this season, especially after the retirement of Toni Kroos at the end of the last campaign. In 26 games across competitions, he has contributed six goals and two assists.
Most of those goal contributions - five goals and two assists in 19 games - have come in the top flight, where Los Blancos are chasing back-to-back titles for the first time in nearly two decades.
What's next for Real Madrid?
As mentioned earlier, Real Madrid have had a decent season, starting off with their UEFA Super Cup win. Although they have fared well in La Liga, their UEFA Champions League title defence hasn't gone to plan.
Los Blancos have lost three of their opening six games and are a lowly 20th in the new 36-team field. However, before they can turn their attention to the continent, Ancelotti's side have domestic commitments up next following their midweek cup game with Deportivo.
The La Liga giants take on Mallorca in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final on Thursday (January 9) before hosting Las Palmas in La Liga 10 days later. Ancelotti's side are the defending Supercopa champions.
