Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is no stranger to the ups and downs of football having had a long career at the top of the game, and one of his familiar rivals is certainly going through the trickiest moment of his career in Pep Guardiola. The Italian coach had little in the way of advice to help him out though.
Last week Ancelotti told the press that they had been too harsh with him, and some of the criticism had been personal. He was asked whether the Real Madrid hotseat was the one that ‘burns’ most.
“Everyone bench burns, everyone has their problems. It is normal. The Real Madrid bench burns, of course, but like the rest,” Ancelotti told the press.
Carlo Ancelotti on #Vinicius 🗣️
"For us, he continues to be the best in the world, with enormous humility, which is not usual for a player of his level. But the level he is at does not surprise us." #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/MEc9zwZ0tH
— Football España (@footballespana_) December 13, 2024
He was also asked about Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and his opinion on their recent slump, following another defeat to Juventus.
“I’m not giving him any advice, no. My opinion does not change regarding him, due to the latest results. He has been an innovator. We can control many things, but not the results of the games. And for him, undoubtedly, the results have gone very well in recent years.”
Again he was asked whether the press had been too scathing with him.
“We are going to compete and fight for everything, that’s what I know. Things are starting to improve, as you see. Alaba and Camavinga are almost back, and we’ll compete for everything despite the difficulties because of the injuries.”
“We will analyse what we can do better. But as you are seeing, things are starting to get better. We are excited about the return of Camavinga and Alaba, but we will compete for everything.”
With Los Blancos likely to be in the play-off round of the Champions League, and Manchester City on the fringes of qualification, it is not unthinkable that Guardiola and Ancelotti face each other again in February. Real Madrid are back in action on Saturday night in a crosstown derby against Rayo Vallecano at 21:00 CEST. Camavinga is set to be fit for that clash, but Kylian Mbappe will miss out with a hamstring problem.