Carlo Ancelotti says managing “this Real Madrid squad is simple”

Carlo Ancelotti lauded the Real Madrid squad’s mentality ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final game against Chelsea, emphasising that there was no need for him to reprimand his players.

Madrid and Chelsea go head-to-head for the third consecutive time after meeting two seasons ago and last season, with each team progressing to the next stage of the competition once in the last two meetings.

Ancelotti has been the subject of praise since returning to the Spanish club after his stint in Italy and England with Napoli and Everton respectively. Since his return, Ancelotti has led the cup to win all but just the Copa del Rey trophy.

However, the Italian says he is only there to see over the squad as they are too good, even without instructions.

“This is a group. I only see them in Valdebebas [the training ground], they feel good among themselves. They understand well when it’s time to make jokes or to be serious,” he said.

“This group is like that. If you have to be serious, I don’t have to order them to be serious.”

“For a manager, for me as a coach to manage this squad, it’s very simple. I manage it very well and everyone tells me so. I’m fantastic in management,” he said tongue in cheek.

“But there are other things because this team is well prepared. Because if we win the Cup we will have won all the titles in two years and there are teams that don’t they win that in their whole life. And with that said I bid you farewell,” Ancelotti exited the press conference to laughter.

Madrid are looking to repeat the feat between 2016 and 2018 when they won three consecutive Champions League titles.