Less than a year ago, Carlo Ancelotti was cheered and praised to the skies. Real Madrid ended the season under Don Carlo with the league and Champions League double. The 63-year-old Italian is now also the first coach to win the title in all five top leagues. But football is known to be fast-moving, yesterday’s successes no longer count today.
Ancelotti is beginning to feel this too. As the Spanish online portal ‘Relevo’ reports, there are first doubts about the real coach, and the trust of the top management seems to be crumbling. The 3-1 Supercup defeat against FC Barcelona and the eight-point deficit to their eternal rivals in La Liga have left their mark.
Match point in Morocco?
It is clear that the tide can turn just as quickly: Real Madrid will start the Club World Cup tomorrow, Wednesday, with the semi-final against Egyptian representative El Ahly. A sovereign triumph would certainly provide some breathing space. ‘Relevo’ refers to the tournament in Morocco as one “match point” for Ancelotti.
If this is not converted, that would not necessarily be the end, the Club World Cup lacks the necessary prestige. The performance in the Champions League is likely to be of greater importance – there the royal team will meet Liverpool in the round of 16 in two weeks.
