Ancelotti delighted by versatile Real Madrid star’s exemplary attitude – report | OneFootball

With Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe unavailable, Carlo Ancelotti handed Brahim Diaz a starting berth when Real Madrid faced Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Wednesday.

And the Moroccan international once again repaid the faith shown by the manager with a fine performance, playing an integral role in the Merengues’ 3-2 win away at Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

Ancelotti happy with Brahim

As such, MARCA reports that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is delighted by the exemplary attitude shown by Brahim Diaz.

The former Manchester City ace has become the 12th player for the coaching staff – stepping in when one of the regular starters in attack is absent or needs to be rested.

When he is not starting, the manager does not hesitate to bring the versatile attacker on whenever the team requires a change or needs to find a gap in the opponent’s defence.

Even though he is not a regular starter, Brahim continues to work hard and consistently sends a message that his abilities are suited for more chances.

Brahim assisted Gonzalo’s winner vs Leganes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Moroccan international’s versatility – able to play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder – along with his relentless work ethic, makes him an excellent fit for the coaching staff’s plans.

Difference between Brahim and Guler

So far this season, Brahim has recorded seven assists and three goals in 1328 minutes, outperforming the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Arda Guler in terms of productivity.

In terms of style, Guler is the closest player to Brahim within the current squad, but the differences are stark when analysing all other aspects.

While both players possess similar levels of technical ability, Guler is still lacking in terms of sacrifice and tactical discipline – areas in which Brahim has significantly improved since his time at AC Milan.

Moreover, while Brahim does not shy away when things are not going well, Guler is still working to make his presence felt throughout the game rather than being somewhat passive in certain moments – as was visible against Leganes.

With performances like the ones from last night, Brahim continues to demand a more significant role in Real Madrid’s lineup.