Carlo Ancelotti praises Gareth Bale’s Copa Cup winner

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for Gareth Bale after his goal sealed the win in last nights Copa del Rey final.

Real had led through Angel Di Maria’s earlier strike at the Mestalla in Valencia on Tuesday night, but Barcelona levelled just after the hour through youngster Marc Bartra.

However, with the game looking set for extra-time, Bale produced a wonderful run and finish with just five minutes remaining.

“It was his most important goal, it was the most defining moment of the game,” Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference.

“The goal was incredible , I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. It looked like the ball was going out and he was under pressure, he ran off the pitch to keep it in, it was just amazing,” added Midfielder Xabi Alonso.

“Now we have the taste of victory. It was a really exciting game, with both sides playing at their best.”

The win earned Ancelotti his first trophy since succeeding Jose Mourinho as the Madrid boss last summer, and kept the team’s hopes of winning a treble alive.

“I think we played very well, we were playing against a very strong team. We had to suffer at times but I think it is a deserved victory. We are very proud to have won this competition,” said Ancelotti.

“More than anything, I want to congratulate the players. The atmosphere inside the stadium from both sets of supporters was fantastic, I am happy to be here and to have experienced this spectacle.”

Next up for Madrid is their Champions League semi-final tie with holders Bayern Munich, while they trail Primera Division leaders Atletico Madrid by three points with five games of the campaign to go.

Barca, meanwhile, look set for their first season without a trophy since 2008, knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico and four points adrift of Diego Simeone’s side in the table.