- Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti faced criticism last year when the Italian was re-signed as coach.
- Ancelotti’s recent coaching stints had indicated that his time at the highest level of coaching seemed to be running out.
- How Ancelotti led a Madrid team in transition back to the top level within a few months and made them dream of winning the Champions League again deserves the highest recognition.
“Not up to date anymore”. “His best coaching years would be behind him.” “More stopgap than ideal solution”. Both Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti suffered slurs like this when the 62-year-old was unveiled as Los Blancos’ new coach in June last year.
Ancelotti succeeded the resigned Zinédine Zidane, who with three Champions League titles in a row had again raised the usual high standards of the Madrilenians. However, the Italian took over a team that after very successful years could not win a title for the first time since 2010 and urgently needed a change in personnel.
The task for Ancelotti could hardly have been more thankless. To make matters worse, the “Maestro”‘s last coaching positions had actually indicated that his time would be spent at the highest level and that his best years seemed to be long behind him.
But Ancelotti took on the task in Madrid, where he once celebrated one of his greatest successes.
Carlo Ancelotti: After “La Décima” things gradually went downhill
In Ancelotti’s first tenure in Madrid, he succeeded as the successor to José Mourinho and the fans’ dream of a tenth title in the premier class was fulfilled in the 2013/14 season, “La Décima”. In the second year, the team should not be able to build on the achievements and consequently the coach was fired in 2015.
This was followed by the move to the next European heavyweight, FC Bayern Munich. Nationally, the hoarding of the title should continue, but like his predecessor at Bayern, Pep Guardiola, there was no renewed leap to the European throne. Still notable successes, but just not enough for the top tier of European football and their constant drive for the title in the premier class. The liaison between Ancelotti and Munich lasted less than a year and a half.
Ancelotti took a few months off and moved on to SSC Napoli in 2018, where a coaching career characterized by countless titles seemed to be slowly coming to an end. Instead of championship celebrations and cup victories, the Neapolitans finished in seventh place in Serie A. The next dismissal followed at the end of 2019. This time, Ancelotti signed for Everton FC just a few days later, more than two season finishes in the middle of the table should not result. In retrospect, however, the Italian was not dissatisfied and would have been quite willing to continue working in England.
When the call came from Madrid and both experts and fans rubbed their eyes in amazement, Ancelotti simply couldn’t say no to his old love. “I think things went well at Everton. We worked very well together, the relationship with the club was excellent, but then Madrid called. I can understand that some people were upset, but I couldn’t say no. It was the only club I couldn’t say no to, I could have stayed at Everton with all the others. But not Madrid,” Ancelotti recalled at a press conference a few weeks ago.
Ancelotti reinvents himself at Real and optimizes his players
Almost nine months after Ancelotti’s return to Madrid, Real greets them from the top of the table – far ahead of the national competition. Winning the championship is just a formality. And another title win is also possible in the Champions League. In the semi-finals, Real meets Manchester City and grabs the next “handle pot”.
The father of success is Ancelotti, there is no doubt about that. The “Mister” on the sidelines reinvents himself even in old age as a coach and breathes life into a team that has long since gone in the wrong direction after the departure of star players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos as well as many long-standing stars beyond their zenith has developed. The “Maestro” is now reaching for Europe’s crown again – despite the countless critics.
Ancelotti’s favorite football in Madrid stands out for its adaptability. Your own system is variable, the formation is adjusted according to the opponent and the circumstances. Possession plays a lesser role, while the focus is increasingly on counter-attacking, one of the great strengths of the team.
“We can use different game systems. That’s the strength of this team. I enjoy watching the team play. We’re strong enough to compete in all the competitions that are still ahead of us,” said Ancelotti after winning the Spanish Supercup in January.
Under Ancelotti, striker Karim Benzema and winger Vinicius Junior form an accurate duo in attack, while summer signing Eduardo Camavinga gives new impetus to the experienced midfield around Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Behind it is a defensive that has lost its long-time leader with Ramos, but has found a robust central defender duo in Éder Militão and ex-Bayern star David Alaba.
Ancelotti gets the maximum out of the real stars
Smaller tactical nuances that are adjusted, as well as targeted personnel reinforcements, instead of the really big upheaval, that’s what Ancelotti stands for.
But what the coach has teased out of one or the other player who has been much criticized in the past deserves the greatest respect. Vinicius was a shadow of himself in the pre-season. After largely disappointing performances, the 21-year-old threatened to collapse under the high expectations. Ancelotti managed to assuage the Brazilian’s self-doubt and finally bring consistency to his game. Vinicius’ confidence can be seen in his actions and the player thanked his coach with 17 goals and 18 assists in 45 games this season.
Only his congenial strike partner puts on stronger numbers. Benzema, often written off over the years, is the team’s star and has already scored 39 goals and provided 13 assists in 40 games in all competitions this season. Ancelotti praised his goal-getter after the hat-trick in the quarter-final first leg against Chelsea: “It gets better every day, like a good wine.” And he went one step further: “This season, two strikers have stood out: Vinicius and Benzema. In the past we had Cristiano (Ronaldo, Anm. d. Red.) or Bale. To say that we are dependent on Benzema is the truth. There’s no reason to hide it. I’m very lucky to be dependent on Benzema.”
Almost like a knighthood. And the appreciation is not just one-sided.
Carlo Ancelotti: Players rave about the “Maestro”
Players love him for his easy-going, easy-going demeanor. Ancelotti doesn’t seem to lose his temper. For example, when Kroos was substituted off against Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The player didn’t look at his coach and reluctantly high-fived.
Potential for escalation with other coaches? Very high. Under the Italian? 0 percent. “That was smiled at, it was no longer discussed,” explained Kroos in the joint podcast with his brother Felix, “Just Luppen”. “There are also many coaches at this level who take a lot more personally than Carlo, for example. He definitely knows how to assess that with his experience and composure, and we have an outstanding relationship anyway.”
Kroos is far from alone in this. Winger Vinicius came in an interview with Uefa.com” lately not even raving: “He’s a great coach who has won so many titles and he always relies on young players. He trusts us and gives us the necessary self-confidence. He talks to us a lot, which alone is often worth a lot. We see a lot of videos under him and he always gives chances to players like me, Militão, Rodrygo and Camavinga.”
Whether it’s experienced players like Kroos, who have shaped the “Royal” game for years, or youngsters who are gradually being introduced to the starting XI. Even after more than 20 years in the coaching business, “Carletto” has continued to develop and once again formed a top-level team.
In the semifinals of the Champions League against the “Citizens”, Ancelotti is now aiming for his fourth title in Europe’s top club competition. In any case, it shouldn’t come as a surprise after the realignment of the team within a very short time and the impressive performance.
Sources used:
- sport1.de: Kroos defends himself against criticism
- uefa.com: Interview: Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior on Carlo Ancelotti, Karim Benzema and the power of numbers
- apnews.com: Ancelotti’s Real Madrid showing its dominance in Spain
- news.euro-24.com: Transfers, train Italy, titles… Carlo Ancelotti reviews Real Madrid news
