Carlo Ancelotti, the only coach in history to lift four Champions League cups and win the five major trophies in the world (Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain), is known for being an old-fashioned coach more capable of achieving success for his wisdom and ability to manage the dressing room than his skill on the board.
However, Carlo Ancelotti has a very young technical staff led by his son David, a tactician and strategist whose modern ideas perfectly complement, according to some of those who worked with him, the traditional methods of his father.
A distinctive move appeared in the kick-off that was rehearsed on the orders of Ancelotti’s device and then applied by Real Madrid twice, which raised eyebrows and generated two very clear opportunities. This movement can be seen at the start of the friendly match against Juventus and also at the start of the second half of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City.
With four passes and in just three seconds, in a lightning move, Real Madrid went from kick-off in the middle to having four players attacking the opponent’s penalty area unattended behind a defense that did not expect that move.
The key to the move is Modric, who is responsible for taking out the middle on both occasions. As soon as the referee whistle, the Croatian’s pass goes to Casemiro while Vinicius, Benzema, Valverde and Carvajal rush forward. Modric also tricks everyone by running forward but suddenly turns around to get a pass back from Casemiro.
Modric then plays a short pass to Toni Kroos and the German, also from the first touch, changes the game to the right with a long and deep pass to reach Valverde or Carvajal. This movement paralyzes the opponent who is trying to get out to press, which means that if there is no offside at the moment of the pass, the players who have advanced from Real are completely alone in front of the goal.
Against Manchester City, the person in charge of receiving was Carvajal, who came completely alone and put in a low cross into the far corner that Vinicius missed in one of Real Madrid’s clearest chances when the score was 0-0 on the scoreboard.
Against Juventus, the pass went to Valverde, who was offside before helping Benzema score. The goal did not rise to the scoreboard but Carvajal, very close to Valverde, was not offside.
🚨Rivales de Real Madrid, atención.
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) August 1, 2022
1⃣Jugada preparada en el último amistoso contra Juventus.
2⃣Ya la habían puesto en práctica contra Manchester City en Champions.
El pizarrón de Carletto Ancelotti.pic.twitter.com/dE3Gq6hPRI
It remains to be seen if Real Madrid will be able to recreate this tried-and-true move as their rivals already know the trick and will be more attentive. At the moment, despite not scoring the goal, Ancelotti’s outstanding play has surprised two great coaches, Guardiola and Allegri.
Source: Mundo Deportivo