The Magic of Carlo Ancelotti's Personal Touch

No one thought that Real Madrid could go this far. This was thanks to Carlo Ancelotti's personal touch.

AP/ JOSE BRETON

Coach Carlo Ancelotti (center) celebrated the victory with Vinicius Junior (right) and Antonio Rudiger after defeating Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Carlo Ancelotti may not be the best tactician on earth. However, he has an advantage that other top European football coaches rarely have, namely a personal touch.

Real Madrid won their 36th title Spanish League with four games remaining in the league. So far, there is no team in Spain that can match Real's title collection. Barcelona, ​​the toughest rival with 27 league titles who were expected to provide resistance to the finish line, actually lost to the surprise team, Girona, in the most crucial phase.

Unlike before, Real's achievement in winning the Spanish League title this time is considered special. No one expected Real to go this far, especially amidst player crisis issues since the beginning of the season. A pessimistic aura was already felt when Real lost some elite players like Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio.

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Real Madrid's management is actively searching for replacements. Hopes were high when rumors of the arrival of top goal-scoring striker Kylian Mbappe surfaced. However, the hunt for Mbappe ended in disappointment as he chose to stay with Paris Saint-Germain.

Instead, Real recruited Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Ardha Guller and Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, Guller and Kepa have not played much this season due to injury. Joselu more often appears as a complement on the front line. Only Bellingham was then able to immediately shine in his first season with Real.

He has a personal touch that is important for us as players to feel.

The storm continues for Real in the middle of the season after their backline players suffered injuries one after another. At one point, Real lost David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rudiger at the same time. Losing key players in the transfer market, coupled with injury storms, has become a sufficient reason for many to suspect that Real will not be able to win the trophy this season.

However, the reality is just the opposite. Real was able to win the Spanish Super Cup and Spanish League. They also advanced to the semifinals of the European Champions League for the fourth time in a row. Carlo Ancelotti became the figure who guided Real to reverse all predictions.

AFP/DARREN STAPLES

Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola (left) and Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti (middle) are seen talking to officials during the Champions League at Etihad Stadium, in mid-April 2024.

The Italian coach united the scattered strength of Real. He was able to do so because of his rare expertise compared to other top European coaches. Rumors have long circulated about Ancelotti's ability to touch on the personal side of his players. This personal touch allows players to unleash their best abilities on the field.

Many players have revealed Ancelotti's gentle and humane side. Former Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard, once explained the secret behind Ancelotti's impressive start in coaching in the English League.

"He wasn't really involved with what was happening outside of football. However, once you came to training, he would chat with you, ask how you're feeling, and how you're training. He has a personal touch that is important for us as players to feel," said Lampard in 2009.

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The world of football is associated with pressure and internal conflict. In this situation, Ancelotti often positions himself not as a manager or coach, but as a mediator. He has the ability to bridge the expectations of club executives and the ambitions of the players.

Lampard described Ancelotti as a quiet and calm person. That is an exact picture of Ancelotti, who is also known for being able to calm the egos of players, handle disputes, and create harmony in the team's locker room. His demeanor is calm.

With his interpersonal skills, Ancelotti treats players as individuals. It's not uncommon for Ancelotti to take the time to listen and understand the needs of each player.

”Honestly, the coach and his staff this year have been a big part of our success, especially due to the departure of important players such as Karim (Benzema) and Marco (Asensio) as well as the injuries to three regular players. They keep their eyes open and we are all able to contribute. Some of them got more minutes than others, and that helped us achieve our goal," said Real right-back Dani Carvajal.

A thousand tactics

In addition to his personal touch, Ancelotti is not a coach lacking in strategy as most people assume. On the contrary, Real Madrid's success in winning the Spanish League revealed how rich Ancelotti's tactics are. With the players he has, he is able to maximize the potential of each player so that injuries do not erode the team's strength.

He is an extraordinary coach who helped me adapt and understand what potential is within me.

This season, Real has lost many defenders, especially in the central and left positions. To overcome this, Ancelotti has transformed the positions of several midfielders so that they are able to play as defenders. Aurelien Tchouameni, who usually plays as a defensive midfielder, for example, is also capable of playing as a central defender. The same goes for Eduardo Camavinga who has played a few times as a left-back due to Ferland Mendy's injury.

Even though they were not playing in their natural positions, Tchouameni and Camavinga were able to perform their new roles well. In addition to the back line, Real's forward line is also experiencing a crisis, as they do not have a pure striker. Ancelotti worked around this shortage by placing Bellingham as a false striker.

AP/ JOSE BRETON

Carlo Ancelotti

In his role, Bellingham is required to chase the ball, create space, and also quickly break into the penalty box. All of these tasks are carried out well by Bellingham. He has become one of the most promising attacking midfielders in Europe this season.

Bellingham was allowed to move freely, so he found comfort in playing. Ancelotti indeed does not have a strict gameplay that requires his players to adhere to the system, as done by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Ancelotti prioritizes the function of players over rigidly adhering to a system in his tactics. He allows his players to be creative on the field so that each player can complement each other. Indirectly, this can create unity within the team.

"He is an exceptional coach who has helped me to adapt and understand my potential. I am very grateful for what he has done for me all this time," said Bellingham.

The success of Real Madrid this season confirms that the issue of the personal touch of Ancelotti's miracle is not just a myth. At a time when Real seemed to be entering darkness, Ancelotti brought brightness with his approach. (REUTERS)

Carlo Ancelotti

Place and date of birth: Reggiolo, Italy, June 10, 1959

Occupation: Real Madrid coach

Achievements, among others

• UEFA-Best Manager (2021-2022)
• Globe Soccer Award (2014)
• IFFHS-Best World Manager (2007 and 2014)
• UEFA-Best Manager (2002-2003)
• World Soccer Magazine-Best Manager (2003)
• Serie A-Best Manager (2001 y 2004)
• Ligue1-Best Manager (2012-2013)
• Enzo Bearzot National Award (2014)
• Inspiring Leader Award (2015)
• Four times Best Manager of the Month in the Premier League