Real Madrid News
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti given a deadline to accept offer by Brazil national team
Carlo Ancelotti has done a fine job once again heading into the new season. The Italian tactician has led Real Madrid on a strong run in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, for his team is on the top of the standings on both fronts.
Yet, there are doubts over his future. The manager has openly iterated his desire to stay beyond this summer but reports state a pre-agreement to join the Brazilian national team next summer.
An ultimatum
CBF President Ednaldo Rodriguez initially insisted that Ancelotti’s arrival to Brazil was certain. Yet, Ancelotti’s camp has denied any such arrangement and Real Madrid continue to maintain their faith in the coach.
According to reports from COPE though, this should indeed be Ancelotti’s final season at the club. After all, his contract with Los Blancos runs out in June.
The Brazilian Confederation has thus reportedly announced an unofficial deadline to Ancelotti. He must confirm his intention to join the national team by the 31st of December if he wishes to move in June.
Real Madrid holding on
Ancelotti finds himself in a tricky place. While Brazil have now fired a deadline at him, Real Madrid are yet to confirm if they intend to continue with their services for next season.
After all, they are strongly in contention to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next coach.
The Merengues will only decide their stance on Ancelotti’s future after the final stretch of the season and how results go across all competitions.
The coach, however, does not appear to have that much time considering the latest ultimatum.
It remains to be seen what route Ancelotti treads in the coming days and whether or not he demands assurance from Real Madrid of a new contract if he opts to stay.
Real Madrid are back in the Champions League following their impressive win against Cadiz on the weekend as they host Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu for gameweek five.
They have already secured qualification to the round of 16, and even a point today would secure first place in the group.
With several players still injured, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for his best available starting lineup, with Daniel Carvajal taking responsibility of the captain’s armband at right-back. He will be aided by Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side.
Meanwhile, in between them, David Alaba returns to the fold as the starting centre-back, partnering Antonio Rudiger. This duo has the responsibility of screening Andriy Lunin, who continues in goal in Kepa and Thibaut Courtois’ absence.
With both Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni out, Toni Kroos gets the chance to play as the holding midfielder for two games in a row. Federico Valverde retains his spot, as well, while Dani Ceballos comes in for the injured Luka Modric in central midfield.
Rodrygo will spearhead the team’s frontline as one of the two twin forwards, while Brahim Diaz gets the nod over Joselu. Jude Bellingham is the final, and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle, playing behind the front-two.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2023
🆚 @en_sscnapoli #UCL pic.twitter.com/MarLb7TavA
Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Ceballos; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
