Real Madrid News
Real Madrid board disappointed with Ancelotti after Barcelona defeat
Real Madrid were dealt with a major blow in their hopes of securing a berth in the Copa Del Rey final, as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final.
Although the reigning Spanish champions will have another opportunity to overturn the slender deficit, the result has not gone down well with the Real Madrid board for obvious reasons.
According to Rodrigo Faez (h/t Madrid Xtra), the club’s hierarchy is extremely unhappy with Carlo Ancelotti following the result. They have criticised the Real Madrid manager for being too adamant about his approach and not having a plan B.
The Real Madrid board, including Florentino Perez, was already unhappy with the club’s draw with Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Although Los Blancos were able to bridge the gap to Barcelona at the top to seven points, the board felt it was a missed opportunity, especially after Barça’s surprise defeat to Almeria.
But with Real Madrid now losing to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey, coach Ancelotti has once again come under fire.
This comes shortly after initial reports in Spain that suggested the growing uncertainty over Ancelotti’s future at the club.
The Italian’s links with the Brazilian national team have already been well documented recently, but it appears even the players are now starting to question some of the coach’s tactical decisions.
There is an internal feeling of disappointment around the Ancelotti camp as well, as the Italian is unhappy that Real Madrid are pressing more for his exit from Santiago Bernabeu than the Brazilian national team.
In any case, Ancelotti is not in a good space right now and a major turnaround of fortune is required, if he is to secure his future at Bernabeu, at least until 2024.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
M.E Leboko
March 4, 2023 at 8:43 pm
How Perez could be unhappy whereas he has refused to buy new players to strengthen the team for this season.Ancelotti may be the coach but cannot do miracles with the old team.At this stage all the teams have been reading the play of Real Madrid and they now do their best to master the play of it.