Carlo Ancelotti explains the difference between Napoli and his previous clubs – “the project is to continue the progression”.
The Coach returned to Serie A in the summer, having worked at some of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It’s a different Napoli to my day,” Ancelotti told France Football, in an interview which was previewed yesterday.
Carlo Ancelotti explains the difference between Napoli and his previous clubs – “the project is to continue the progression”.
The Coach returned to Serie A in the summer, having worked at some of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It’s a different Napoli to my day,” Ancelotti told France Football, in an interview which was previewed yesterday.
“[When I was a player] there was a symbol: Diego Maradona. Whether in the city or inside the club, everything revolved around him, you can’t imagine how much. Even today, Maradona is a God here.
“Look, right there [on Ancelotti’s desk] is a photo of one of our duels.
“It’s a different Napoli today. We don’t have Maradona, but a high-level squad has been built, in particular with young players.
“Napoli have been playing well for several years now, so the quality is there. I’ll try to bring some experience, help the team to have more personality and courage in the moments where we aren’t playing so well.
“Fundamentally the job remains the same [at any club]: finding the best way to progress my players and finding a system to fit their characteristics.
“The real difference is in the project. At Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, at Real Madrid or at Bayern Munich, you’re there to win right away.
“At Napoli the project is to continue the progression. Of course, I don’t like second place. I’m a competitive person.
“We’re firmly convinced that in the end we’ll touch our goal, and I’m also experienced enough to know that, above all, a Coach is judged on results.
“But it’s not the case that trophies are the only measure of the quality of work, especially with a young team that still has to learn.”
Ancelotti was asked what has changed tactically since he left Italian football.
“Not a lot in that regard. Every Sunday you face different systems, very varied and very hard to break down.
“You really need to think to overcome problems. The Coaches are very good, they really try not to make things easy for the opposition.
“Against a small club in Italy, it’s very rare to score four or five goals because everyone stays very well organised in their defensive scheme.
“I think that tactically Serie A is still the most demanding league in Europe.”
Giorgio Chiellini said that Pep Guardiola ruined a generation of Italian defenders, as Coaches try to play his style with players who can’t do it…
“Pep Guardiola has marked football history with his possession football, which was exemplified by the precision and grace of players like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets who aren’t normal.
“And he’s managed to implement a similar style of football at Bayern and then at Manchester City, he was able to impose his spirit.
“The danger, in effect, is to copy that without the knowledge Guardiola has and the players with the right characteristics.
“You can have a strategy in your head, great. But the most important thing you have to consider is the players at your disposal. I’m not a believer in pre-established systems.
“There’s no particular ‘Ancelotti style’, because I base the way I play on the characteristics of my players.
“Some Coaches start with a philosophy of play and try to fit players into that, I look at the players I have and adapt my style to suit them.
“What’s more, I adapt my style to my opponent. Having a defined style of play is, in my opinion, a limitation.
“On the other hand, I have principles which don't change: a team that attacks, which presses a lot, which stays organised in the two phases of play.
“After that, a formation can be suited to certain moments. When defending I like to be in a 4-4-2, I’m comfortable there. But when attacking the 4-4-2 could change. The priority is always to put players in the zone where they can express themselves best.”