'Tomorrow is a day off!': Carlo Ancelotti sends his Real Madrid stars into raptures after their 4-0 thumping of Barcelona as he rewards them with a rest - and tells his players he is 'proud' of their huge win to reach Copa del Rey final

Carlo Ancelotti treated his players to a day off after their stunning display against arch-rivals Barcelona on Wednesday night - an announcement that clearly went down well with his squad. 

A video posted on social media gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the Italian manager's post-match talk in the dressing-room, and captured the moment as Ancelotti sent his side into raptures. 

Los Blancos completed a turnaround after beating Barca at the Spotify Camp Nou in the Copa Del Rey semi-final second leg 4-0, having trailed in the tie after suffering a 1-0 home defeat. 

Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema scored the goals to seal the win, and Real will now face Osasuna in the final of the Copa Del Rey, after they saw off Athletic Bilbao with an extra-time winner. 

The former Everton boss was quick to praise his side, though, after the memorable result, and told his side that he was 'proud' of their performance. 

Carlo Ancelotti gave his side the day off on Thursday after their stunning display on Wednesday

'Proud, proud to see a match like this. To sit on the bench is something to be proud of, for me and for all of you,' he was heard saying in a video posted by Football Espana. 

'Second, I lied to you. It was not a final. This was a lie, it was a semi-final, the final we still have to play. [laughs].'

'And third, listen now, tomorrow is a day off!'

The ex-Milan, Juventus, PSG and Chelsea manager is currently in his second spell in charge of Real Madrid, and is a hugely popular figure at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

He is also thought to have a strong relationship with his squad, and has guided them to success in each of LaLiga, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Spanish Super Cup in his second stint. 

Ancelotti's future is far from clear, though, and although his contract runs until the end of the 2023-24 season, he has been linked with the vacant Brazil national team job. 

Ballon d'Or winner Benzema became the first Real star to net a hat-trick at the Camp Nou since the club's legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskas managed the feat back in 1963. 

Fellow goal scorer Vinicius was also at the heart of the action, having scored and assisted, clashing with both Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres late in the game.  

In seeing off their rivals, Real denied Barca the chance at a domestic treble, having already won the Spanish Super Cup back in January and they currently hold a 12-point lead over Los Blancos in LaLiga with 11 to play. 

And the Spanish press have been quick to pile on the criticism in the wake of the devastating defeat, although they do still hold a 3-2 lead in Clasico clashes this season.

Mundo Deportivo bemoaned their tough exit, adding they crashed out 'with a bang' and collapsed after the first goal conceded.

While Sport described a 'painful knockout' for Xavi and Co. They added that while Barcelona started well, defensive errors cost them dearly.