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
Vinicius believes Real Madrid will win Champions League this season: ‘The 16th title will come’
Speaking to club official media, Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. has boldly predicted that his side will lift the Champions League trophy this season, insisting that the squad is ready to return to the top of European football.
The most successful team in the competition, Los Blancos have won the trophy a record 15 times. However, the past couple of campaigns have not been good enough, as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals on both occasions.
And, Vinicius acknowledged that Real Madrid have fallen short of expectations in the competition over the past two campaigns, but believes this season will be different.
“Hopefully the 16th will come. We’re ready for that. It’s our competition. We haven’t done well in it for the last two years. Our first objective is to finish among the top eight. We’re always excited about the Champions League,” he said.
“This season will be different from the last two Champions League campaigns and we’re going to win it,” Vinicius added.
Vini expects a demanding battle against Inter
Real Madrid begin their league-phase campaign tomorrow against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Vinicius knows they face a physically imposing opponent.
“Whenever the Champions League arrives, it feels different. We’re ready for this match against a great team that will demand a lot from us,” he said.
“Inter are a very physically strong team. They defend with five at the back and that’s something that usually causes us difficulties, but the manager has prepared us for it,” he added.
“We have some absentees, which makes things more difficult, but we’ll all go out there strongly and hopefully we can create that wonderful connection with the fans in these matches.”
Despite suffering a defeat in their last game against Real Betis, Vinicius insisted that Real Madrid have made a fine start to the season.
“We’re starting the season off brilliantly, despite our loss in the last game. We played well, created plenty of chances, and that’s the most important thing,” he noted.
“We need to stay focused on leading Real Madrid to the top, as we always want.”
The highlights of his UCL career
Vinicius also reflected on the two Champions League titles he has won with Real Madrid and the goals he scored in the finals against Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian considers both strikes among the defining moments of his career.
“They’re the two most important goals of my life. They’re something that will remain in history,” he said.
“Many players score goals, but very few score in finals. To do it at the biggest club in the world is something neither the fans nor I will ever forget,” the Brazilian winger added.
Talking about his journey in the Champions League, starting from his first-ever goal in the competition against Club Brugge back in 2019, he noted:
” It was a dream. I never imagined I’d score all these goals or play here for all these years.
“At 26 years old, to be one of the leaders of the world’s most important club means so much to me and my family.
“I came from a very poor background in Brazil to reach here, and I want to keep making history. I hope there’ll be more goals and Champions League titles for our fans.”
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.