The most successful coach in the prestigious Champions League, with four conquests, is the Italian Carlo Ancelottiwill be etihad stadium where he directed the most games in the competition (191), surpassing a legendary alex ferguson to raise oneself one of those days, with Pep Guardiola as a rival, where their tactical virtues can be demonstrated.
At times the visit of Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals could be described as Ancelotti’s last game. Within real Madrid and in a competition where he leaves an indelible legacy. A ceiling in achievements and games that the youngest coaches can reach following in the footsteps of a football gentleman who no one utters a bad word and who has more tactical virtue than he gives credit for.
That was the test Ancelotti seemed forced to pass. In the highest demand that a bank like Real Madrid needs. The bad League finished by the white team This leaves two titles considered minor, such as the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup, in third place. Neither showed inferiority against Barcelona in the final of Spanish Supercup. The lack of hunger for a winning group going back to a recent memory with Zinedine Zidane on the bench.
In the background of the interest of the Brazilian team, the constant questions on the manifestations of Ancelotti about his future and the absence of an authorized voice from the club publicly assured that his contract will be respected, until June 2024, the story flies to the point that the Italian coach has to win at Copa del Rey and leaving a good impression against City or at the Etihad will be his last night in Europe. Where it will surpass a historical record.
It is in the past and Ancelotti will direct the game with the conviction of being the coach of Real Madrid next year. The president confirmed Florentino Perez after the third title of the course, the Copa del Rey was won in Seville with a double by Rodrygo Goes, the protagonist of the steady growth in the hands of ‘Carletto’, like his compatriot Vinícius Junios, who he pushed on the basis of confidence to be among the best players in the world.
The growth of the youth, extended by Fede Valverde or Eduardo Camavinga, added to a draw in the semifinals of the Cup with a blow of authority that Ancelotti needed in Camp Nou (0-4), closed the debate. And it is at the door of history. In the challenge to emulate Zidane by winning two consecutive ‘Champions’ and crowning himself king of the banks.
The challenge is more complicated than everything it has overcome last year in the Champions League of comebacks, the fourteenth. Forced to win, even on penalties, in a stadium where Real Madrid has not done it in four precedents. To end an eternal stain of city without falling into his stadium. The day he managed his match 191 in the competition and surpassed Ferguson.
At 63 years old, winner of two ‘orejonas’ with AC Milan (2003 and 2007) and two others included real Madrid (2014 and 2022), on the same day he will surpass a historic record, he will reach 50 games with the Madrid team in the Champions League (36 wins, five draws and eight losses). The rest were completed by Parma (6), Juventus (10), AC Milan (73), Chelsea (18), PSG (10), Bayern Munich (12) and Napoli (12).
His life is linked to a competition in which, along with Frank Rijkaard, Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola, he also won as a player and coach. And certainly the big ‘threat’ to the records of ‘Carletto’ is Spanish. Fourth coach with the most games led in the Champions League (158) at the age of 52, eleven less than the Italian. He was preceded by two retired coaches such as Arsene Wenger (178) and Ferguson (190).
And the good tactical pulse in between Ancelotti and Guardiola there will be a new installment at Etihad. In Pep’s variants, where Stones acts as a center back in the defensive phase at the Bernabéu in the first leg, but generates numerical superiority in the offensive midfield, key to seizing possession, Carlo responds with a strategy that made him close to success.
The same movement of the Stones with Eduardo Camavinga winger and interior in Madrid’s attacks. The purpose of Vinicius. Madrid’s left wing changed the course of the game. Lines together without jumping under pressure, organize as a block that helped the rival’s big threat keep balls out of reach, Erling Haaland. Counterblow speed and accuracy. Real Madrid felt close to 2-0, but ended up with an error in the exit phase that cost them dearly.
A tactical change by Ancelotti is expected in Manchester. A question that will not be solved until the end with the idea of increasing the presence in the midfield, increasing the muscle in a player of the profile of Camavinga or Tchouaméni on the pivot to free Toni Kroos from too much wear and tear after the ball.
The spotlight points to the outlet of the equipment Rodrygo, to be revulsive from the bench if necessary, but, this time, the surprise factor is greater from Carlo than from Pep, with cards marked in the rivalry of the king of the competition with the aspirant to the throne.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
