Carlo Ancelotti has considered the differences that he sees between football in Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga.
The former Parma, Juventus and Milan Coach is currently working at Real Madrid and has considered where the two Leagues are dissimilar at the moment.
Carlo Ancelotti has considered the differences that he sees between football in Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga.
The former Parma, Juventus and Milan Coach is currently working at Real Madrid and has considered where the two Leagues are dissimilar at the moment.
“Spanish football is different and reflects the philosophy and culture of this country,” Ancelotti has told Radio Anch’Io Sport.
“And it is mostly played with much possession of the ball. It is different, certainly, to Italian football, which is experiencing a particular moment.
“There are cycles, it remains technically competitive, but to improve it is normal that there is a need for innovations in infrastructure.
“Spanish football is alive because there are young players who are interesting. We brought in five players to the squad this year, but everyone is talking about Gareth Bale.”
Another person everyone is talking about is Diego Simeone, who has Atletico Madrid top of La Liga ahead of Barcelona and Ancelotti’s Madrid.
“Atletico are an Italian team, one of the few who does not practice tiki-taka, but are more to the point.
“They are an incredible surprise, some expected that they would have given up, but they have not. There is a positive air around their team, they will hold until the end. Then, it is as question of details.
“Italy is not concerned in this way – we know that we have always given more importance to the tactics.
“As for Juventus, the results in Europe are not related to the Italian League. There is less quality, but the rhythms have always been different. The gap can be recovered peacefully, I have no doubt.”
Ancelotti considered Real Madrid’s performance of late, which has them third in Spain.
“In the League we have slipped to third because of two setbacks. The dream is La Decima [the 10th European Cup, but the League is a concrete objective.
“The League is interesting because beyond the three teams at the top, there are teams like Zaragoza and Athletic Bilbao who are very competitive.
“I have a strong team and complete – there are champions, experienced players and young people from the academy.
“Ronaldo? It is a simple thing to train him because he is an immense professional. He has understood that talent devoid of professionalism does not allow you to stay at the highest levels. That is the same for him, for Ibrahimovic and for many others.
“In Italy? The champions nourish affection and have no confinement to the Italian League.”
The 54-year-old considered Italian attitudes towards match officials.
“In Italy there is so much, too much pressure. They all have individual quality, but in Spain and England they are under less pressure.
“Would television replays help? No, for the love of God. There’s already too much, it should not be put in the field.”
Ancelotti was asked for his view on Rafa Benitez and Antonio Conte’s fall-out yesterday evening over how much each club has spent relating to their respective levels of success.
“Fortunately I am a Coach, not an accountant. I leave the sums to the President, I deal with tactics and other things.”