Sacchi: ‘No more successful coach than Ancelotti’

Arrigo Sacchi analysed Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund, having high praise for the work of Carlo Ancelotti.

Los Blancos clinched their 15^th trophy in Europe’s premier club competition with an impressive and mature 2-0 win over their German opponents at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, crowning off another incredible season for the Spanish giants.

Ancelotti has already long written himself into the history books for his incredible success in the dugout and he extended his record with a fifth Champions League victory, making him one of the most successful coaches in history.

Only three years ago, the Italian tactician was in charge of Everton, but he’s continued to prove himself at the highest level since returning to Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, winning two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies in his second spell at the club.

Sacchi praises Ancelotti

Writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi shared his pride at Ancelotti’s achievements in the dugout, analysing Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

“Real Madrid still on the top of Europe. And with full merit, despite suffering in the first half. And my Carletto always the protagonist, this is his fifth Champions League as coach, two with Milan and three with Los Blancos. There’s nobody like him.

“The reason is simple: Ancelotti is phenomenal, he has experience, he knows everything about football, even the smallest secrets and, above all, he is a person who knows how to make himself loved by the players, the managers, the fans.

“There is so much of his in this success, because the Real Madrid of today are a team that know how to fight, that don’t give up, that face the game with grit and determination, and respect the opponent.

“Carletto has transmitted these values to an environment that, at times, has sinned of presumption, believing themselves better than others because of the glory conquered in the past.

“Now these boys, the youngest and the oldest, from Vinicius to Kroos, fight on every ball with a spirit that is to be applauded.

“In the first half we saw the technical immaturity of Borussia Dortmund, a team that aren’t used to these stages. There was a counter-attack by the Germans in which there were six players in yellow shirts against three from Real Madrid.

“They didn’t show it, but I imagined Carletto’s face at that moment, he must have raised his usual left eyebrow and made the sign of the cross, because in a situation like that it’s very easy to concede goals.

“Instead, Borussia Dortmund failed to close the goal when they had the chance, and then it’s logical to bow to the strength and class of Madrid. It wasn’t an aesthetically beautiful match, but finals hardly are.

“In the first half I admired goalkeeper Courtois who, after a season as an injured player and only a few warm-up games, proved to be a giant, he kept the team on their feet when the Germans came dangerously close to him. And then Vinicius, mamma mia!

“He had a scooter in his legs, sprints, counter-sprints, dribbling, great coolness in front of goal. This boy, who has grown so much in the last few years, is proof of the goodness of Carletto’s work.

“The Brazilian has talent to spare, but Ancelotti knew how to cultivate that talent, helped him mature, gave him the knowledge that is necessary to become a champion. But did you see how much and how they ran, in the last minutes, to recover the ball, to not leave it to the Germans, to manage it?

“This means having a very strong team spirit, which, combined with great motivation and play, which the Spaniards certainly don’t lack, is one of the ingredients for success.

“I don’t know what to say about Ancelotti anymore. He amazes me every time. He shows an enviable calmness even though I know that, inside, he quivers, that he would like to go on the pitch and, before matches, he gets nervous.

“He always knows how to fix things, how to put a player on the field. And he is humble in listening to the advice of his collaborators, primarily his son Davide, who is becoming more and more important to him.

“He knew very well that Borussia Dortmund were dangerous because they had considerable physical strength and, especially at the start, they would push on the accelerator. Ancelotti had the skill to explain this to his boys and to convince them to be humble: let’s wait for the right moment and then strike.

“So it was, and after Carvajal’s goal there was no more game. I repeat, full credit to Real Madrid also for what they showed during the event. Carletto put the double in the trophy cabinet, La Liga and Champions League. There is no coach more successful than Ancelotti.”