Something is just not clear about how Don Carlo seems to sustain his relevance in an era of high tactical innovation on the world stage of football. A flash from the past, a figure from the era of football greats who rely on talent, organization, and team cohesion above tactical and strategic poetry, it is gobsmacking and brain-teasing to understand how Ancelotti continues to compete despite his "era-peers" seeming decline in this modern era. The Italian has led Real Madrid through different scathes and to the La Liga title despite last month's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Xavi's resurgent and tactically vigorous Barcelona side in the El-Clasico. Los Blancos have blown La Liga away and have produced scintillating Champions League nights to sit one game away from Paris, literally coming back from the dead when thought to be put down.
In all of these, Carlo Ancelotti maintains his cool demeanor. He seems to be the only man in the world that believes his team can never go down. He expects them to always find a way to get up. It seems the chaos is just the tinge of poetic license he allows to spice up the appreciation of the unmatchable experience on display within the squad he has at his disposal. One thing has constantly remained though- his teams will concede goals but they will score a lot.
Karim Benzema has taken up the mantle of goalscorer supreme since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, this season particularly, he has been on another level. He has surfaced to shut down the tactically oiled machinery of high-handed teams to pull his side through the stages. Paris Saint Germain chose the wrong moment to be too clever and lackadaisical in the Round of 16 of the Champions League while Chelsea's midfield comptroller, Kante chose the wrong game to misstep.
All of these give a hint at what we call luck, but even luck sometimes could be conjured! In Real's case, it almost seems to be a part of the plan. Xavi's observation about Los Blancos' elation at coming back from the dead against Chelsea was met with scorn. Ancelotti does not seem to read from the same pages as the newbie. He has been around long enough to understand that in a results-based business, well, results are the primary bases for judgment. Particularly at Real Madrid, you don't last long without results- it doesn't particularly matter how they are gotten. It all adds to the experience if you get them with a bit of drama and are emotionally intelligent enough to maintain your cool whilst the play unfolds.
Where does a La Liga title rank on the priority list at the Bernabeu? Quite high. It matters much to win a league title. It matters much to regain the City from your local rivals, and it matters much to add to the frustrations of your archrivals from Catalunya. However, could it beat the euphoria of conquering the entire football hemisphere?
The last time Ancellotti was here, he had the mission "Un Decimal" to accomplish, which he did with the help of a well-planted, last-minute headed dagger, plunged into the hearts of Atletico Madrid's players by Ramos. This time around, the status of the Galacticos on the European scene is not in doubt with 13 titles in the cabinet. It is only the pride that perhaps needs a bit of polishing. Ancelotti has dragged his team along and they are 4-3 behind a desperate Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City going into the second leg to be staged at the Bernabeu- the stage of all the euphoric comebacks witnessed this season!
Ancelotti has set a record of conquering all five major leagues which is a good achievement but a chance to win a record-extending fourth European trophy is a huge prospect. We can rack our heads at how Real has gotten this close but that is the dark side to this enigmatic manager who never shows the pressure his job demands.
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