Ancelotti: Injuries slowed Real, Brazil World Cup dream | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti, now the head coach of Brazil, has spoken again about his last season on the bench of Real Madrid. After bidding farewell to the blancos in June, the former Napoli coach reflected on the difficulties encountered in the past year and the reasons that prevented the Spanish club from winning new trophies.

Brazil, Ancelotti: “Injuries held back Real Madrid. The World Cup with the Seleção is a dream”

According to the former coach of the Madrid team, the main problem was related to injuries: “Real Madrid last year didn't win because of injuries. We lost the entire starting defense: Militao, Carvajal, Rudiger... we ended up playing with Valverde as right-back. All these unforeseen events made us lose solidity and cost us dearly in decisive matches. There are no other reasons.”

“Injuries changed our tactical balance”

Ancelotti explained how the absences in defense also affected the balance of the midfield, a key area in his system of play. “When you lack central defenders and full-backs – he emphasized – you are forced to move players like Valverde or Tchouameni to more defensive positions. It’s normal for the team to suffer in the midfield.”

After Kroos and the strength of the new Madrid midfield

Among the most significant changes last season was also the departure of Toni Kroos, but for Ancelotti, that was not the real reason for Real Madrid's decline. “Kroos was a fundamental player, but Real has high-level midfielders. I think of Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham, and also Arda Güler, who is growing a lot. We have modified the structure of the department, but that wasn’t what made us lose the matches: the cause remains the long series of injuries.”

Ancelotti and Brazil: “The World Cup is a dream”

The Italian coach then spoke about his current role as the head coach of the Brazilian National Team, a position he considers the natural evolution of his career. “After Real Madrid, it was difficult to imagine myself in another club. I made the right choice: preparing for the World Cup with Brazil is a dream. It’s a more reflective job, different from the daily work in a club, but I am learning to appreciate it a lot.”

Ancelotti also left the door open for a possible return of Neymar to the squad: “Neymar has no closed doors, he just needs to regain his physical condition. Vinicius is at the top and Rodrygo is returning calm and motivated. We have a strong and motivated group, capable of going all the way.”

An important legacy and a new chapter in the National Team

With Xabi Alonso's arrival on the Real Madrid bench, Florentino Pérez's club has inaugurated a new cycle, focusing on the development of young talents. Ancelotti, on the other hand, is preparing to write another page of his legendary career, this time with the Seleção.

With experience, leadership, and tactical vision, the Italian coach faces the Brazilian challenge with his usual calmness and the ambition of someone who has already won everything but still wants to leave a mark on world football.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.