Carlo Ancelotti will most likely end his last season as Real Madrid coach without a title. For the Italian, this is a bearable circumstance that will not prevent him from wanting to win his last games.
Three games remain in La Liga. With Real Madrid seven points behind leaders Barcelona, this means that the Royals will only become champions in an absolutely exceptional situation. Despite the title race being decided in the latest Clasico, however, there is no question of the Madrid team giving up the final games of the season. After all, it’s not just about points, but also about Carlo Ancelotti’s farewell.
The Italian, whose appointment as Selecao coach was made official by the Brazilian Football Confederation on Monday, wants to “finish this last chapter and this fantastic adventure here well.” His attitude simply does not allow for anything else. “My commitment to integrity and professionalism demands that I finish well,” he said ahead of Wednesday evening’s home game against RCD Mallorca, looking back on a season “that just wasn’t good.”
Indeed, there is no denying that the Royals have had an uneven season. In the Champions League, they suffered an unusually early exit in the quarter-finals against Arsenal, while in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, their great rivals from Catalonia are ahead. Added to this are the quarrels surrounding referee appointments, which are unworthy of a world-class club.
Ancelotti, however, is not letting any of this get to him. He is accepting the current situation, including his imminent departure, “with great composure.” “I’m not leaving with frustration. If someone had told me on my first day that I would win eleven titles in four years, I would have signed it in blood,” said the veteran, who has always been clear about the inevitable: ‘Everything in life comes to an end at some point. If life itself ends, how could a chapter at a football club not end?’
Rodrygo out
It’s not just Ancelotti’s time at Los Blancos that could come to an end in the summer. According to Marca, winger Rodrygo – whom Ancelotti is likely to meet again in the future with the Selecao – is looking for a change of scenery. He reportedly even sat out the 3-4 defeat in Barcelona and never wants to play for Real again. At least he won’t be playing another game in the white jersey against Mallorca. Muscular problems are the official reason given.
In the home stretch, Ancelotti is relying one last time in the Spanish capital on his distinctive ability to deal with the biggest stars, but also the egos, in the industry. After 30 years of coaching experience, this is unlikely to faze him. Nor does it detract from the summary of his second spell at Real: “It wasn’t always perfect, but there were unforgettable nights with great comebacks. I’ll never forget that, and I don’t think the fans will either.”
