Breaking down the fierce head-to-head between Ancelotti and Simeone | OneFootball

The rivalry between Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone has been one of the most evenly contested managerial battles in modern football.

Across all competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup, the two managers have gone head-to-head 26 times.

The record is perfectly balanced, with each winning nine matches and the remaining eight ending in draws.

Ancelotti vs Simeone

Ancelotti and Simeone have faced each other more times than any other coach in their respective careers. When it comes to the Champions League, the Italian manager has the upper hand.

His most significant victory came in the 2013-14 final, where his Real Madrid side triumphed 4-1.

The following season, Ancelotti’s team eliminated Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, winning the second leg 1-0 after a goalless first encounter.

Meanwhile, during his time at Bayern Munich, Ancelotti also managed to overcome Simeone’s Atletico. In the group stage of the 2016-17 season, Bayern secured a narrow 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena.

That match remains the last time Ancelotti defeated Atletico in Europe’s elite competition.

Ancelotti’s loss against Atletico

A few months earlier, in September 2016, he suffered his only Champions League loss against Simeone’s side.

Atletico won 1-0, with Yannick Carrasco scoring after an assist from Antoine Griezmann.

In La Liga, Simeone has fared better in their matchups. The Argentine has secured five victories over Ancelotti, including two at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He has also held Real Madrid to five draws while losing only twice—once at home and once away.

Their Copa del Rey encounters have been slightly more favourable to Ancelotti, who has won three times, drawn once, and lost twice.

Meanwhile, in the Spanish Super Cup, the two managers are evenly matched, each securing one win and one draw.

This long-standing tactical duel between Ancelotti and Simeone continues to shape the Madrid derby, ensuring every meeting between them remains highly competitive.