Carlo Ancelotti has denied that Real Madrid Management is hard work, saying that “if you have to race, it’s better to have a Ferrari than a Fiat 500.”
The 62-year-old has led Madrid to the top of the La Liga table so far this season, while they topped Group D of the Champions League before facing Police Chief Tiraspol on Wednesday.
– A guide for viewers on ESPN+: La Liga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more
– Daily ESPN FC live stream on ESPN+ (US only)
– No ESPN? Instant access
“No, it’s not difficult,” he said with a laugh at a pre-match press conference. “The job of a coach is complicated, yes, but if you have to race, it’s better to have a Ferrari than a Fiat 500. That’s how I feel right now, coaching Real Madrid.
“Every coach feels pressure. Coaches are sacked weekly, it’s part of our job. But I have the responsibility and the excitement of coaching the biggest club in the world. .”
Ancelotti previously led the Bernabeu team for two seasons, winning the 2014 Champions League before losing his job the following year. He returned last June following the unexpected departure of Zinedine Zidane.
Madrid suffered a surprise 1-2 defeat to Champions League Sheriff debutants in September but came back with two wins Shakhtar Donetsk.
Three points in Tiraspol will guarantee a place in the round of 16.
Ancelotti says he hasn’t spoken to Isco after the midfielder refused to continue his warm-up before coming on as a substitute in the team’s 4-1 LaLiga win at Granada on Sunday.
“It’s not a big deal,” said Ancelotti. “My assistant said ‘warm up’ and he said ‘I’ve already warmed up’, that’s all. No need to make a fuss about it.
“He’s a serious professional, he’s just angry because he didn’t play. He never showed me disrespect and I never showed disrespect to him. .”
Goalie Thibaut Courtois also responded to being dropped by FIFA on the 2021 shortlist for Best Goalkeeper, hint his criticism of football’s governing body on the packing fixed list is to blame.
Alisson Becker, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Edouard Mendy, Manuel Neuer and Kasper Schmeichel are this year’s nominees for the award, with the winner to be revealed on January 17.
“It doesn’t surprise me too much,” Courtois said Tuesday. “Given what happened a month ago, some of the comments I made, maybe that’s why. I know what I’m worth and what I’m doing.”
