Soccer-Real Madrid a team in transition, says Ancelotti ahead of Cup derby

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - January 22, 2023 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao and Nacho REUTERS/Vincent West

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid are going through a transition period, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday, adding that a big part of his work this season has been managing the expectations of his players.

After the departure of Casemiro to Manchester United and midfield stars like Luka Modric, 37, and Toni Kroos, 33, entering the final stages of their careers, Ancelotti has been mixing up his lineup compared to last season in which Real won LaLiga and the Champions League.