Ancelotti’s Secret Weapon: The Power of Adaptability and Tactical Insight
Introduction:
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid continues to defy expectations and reach Champions League finals, despite not having a clear footballing philosophy. Their success lies in their ability to adapt to different situations and opponents, a trait emphasized by Ancelotti’s son and assistant manager, Davide Ancelotti. With his tactical insight and deep understanding of the game, Davide has become Carlo’s secret weapon, playing a crucial role in Real’s recent European successes.
The Power of Flexibility:
Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League can be attributed to their flexibility and adaptability on the pitch. Unlike teams that adhere to a specific ideology, Carlo Ancelotti believes in building tactics around the individual talents of his players. This flexibility allows Real to change their formation and style of play multiple times during a single game, adapting to the situation at hand. Davide Ancelotti has been instrumental in challenging his father tactically and ensuring that the team can quickly adjust their approach to exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
Davide’s Early Influence:
Davide Ancelotti’s passion for coaching started at a young age. As the son of one of Italy’s greatest tacticians, he was always curious and eager to learn. He joined his father’s staff at Paris St-Germain and later became his assistant coach at Bayern Munich. Davide’s primary role is to offer a different tactical perspective to Carlo, taking charge of training sessions, set-piece routines, and devising strategic patterns of play. His ability to analyze opponents and gather data on his own players has proved invaluable in helping Real Madrid secure victories.
The Impact on Individual Players:
Davide Ancelotti’s value extends beyond tactical insights; he also works closely with individual players to improve their game. For example, he has helped Karim Benzema enhance his defensive positioning during corners, reducing the number of goals conceded from set-pieces. He has also worked with Aurelien Tchouameni to improve his ball control and adaptability, allowing him to play in multiple positions. Davide’s hands-on approach and strong relationships with the players have made him a trusted figure in the squad.
Shifting Momentum:
Davide Ancelotti’s ability to identify weaknesses in opponents and shift the momentum of a match has been crucial to Real Madrid’s recent European successes. In the epic comeback against PSG in 2022, Davide’s tactical instruction to Benzema to apply pressure on Gianluigi Donnarumma led to a crucial goal and a complete turnaround in the tie. His study of Arsenal’s defensive low block against Manchester City inspired Real’s gameplan in their Champions League quarter-final, frustrating City and ultimately leading to their progression.
Future Prospects:
Davide Ancelotti’s success as an assistant manager has not gone unnoticed, with rumors linking him to top coaching positions at clubs like Reims in Ligue 1. As he continues to develop his tactical insight and coaching skills, the decision on his future beckons. However, for now, his focus is on preparing Real Madrid for yet another Champions League final, where they aim to secure their second European title in three years.
Conclusion:
Davide Ancelotti’s impact as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager at Real Madrid cannot be understated. His tactical flexibility, deep understanding of the game, and ability to analyze opponents have played a significant role in Real’s recent European successes. By adapting their tactics to exploit weaknesses and shifting the momentum of matches, Real Madrid continues to defy expectations and reach Champions League finals. As Davide’s coaching career progresses, his value as a strategic mastermind will only continue to grow.