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Qatar Tribune
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Brazil-bound Ancelotti focussing only on ‘spectacular adventure' Real
dpa Madrid Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday he is only focussing on the final three matches of his 'spectacular adventure' at Real Madrid before becoming Brazil national team coach. The Brazilian federation CBF said that Italian Ancelotti would take over the ailing Selecao from May 26, the day after the end of the La Liga season, and lead them to the 2026 World Cup. Real won the league and a record extending 15th Champions League title last year but are set to come up empty-handed this term. Sunday's 4-3 defeat against Barcelona saw them slip seven points behind their big rivals with three matches left. Barca will clinch the title either if Real fail to beat Mallorca on Wednesday or if they defeat Valladolid on Thursday. Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday that the Brazil job will be 'a great challenge' but that his only concern for now is ending the season in the best possible way with Real. 'I want to bring it to a good end. I must first think about the days that remain here,' he said. 'Because of the big respect I have for the club, the fans and the players I am fully concentrated on what I have to do in the final stage of this spectacular adventure.' Ancelotti had a contract until 2026 at Real but there had been speculation for weeks that his days were numbered in a season that he said didn't go well 'for many reasons.' But he insisted he was not leaving with 'a feeling of frustration. 'If someone had told me at my arrival that I would win 11 titles with Real Madrid I would have signed that immediately,' he said. 'I had a great time and I believe that everyone here had a great time. I never had a problem with the club. I have the club in my heart and will continue to do so.' Ancelotti, 65, coached Real 2015-2017 and again since 2021, with Sunday's Clasico his 350th game in charge. He is the only coach to win titles in all five European top leagues of England, Germany, Italy, France and Spain. Real are yet to make an official announcement of any kind on the coaching situation which doesn't bother him. 'Real Madrid will make a statement when they think the time is right for a statement,' he said. Former Real player Xabi Alonso, who played under Ancelotti in 2013-14, is widely tipped as Ancelotti's successor. Alonso last week announced his exit at Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, who he led to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double last year. 'I like Xabi a lot. I have no advice because he has all the tools to be a big coach in the future,' Ancelotti said.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Bellingham aiming for Man City redemption
Jude Bellingham (L) scored against Man City in Europe but was then sent off against Osasuna in La Liga as Madrid dropped points. Photo: AFP Jude Bellingham edged Real Madrid ahead in their Champions League play-off against Manchester City, but then his week swiftly took a turn for the worse. The England international was sent off in the first half as Los Blancos dropped two points in the Spanish title race on Saturday at Osasuna. The midfielder will at least be fresh for the second leg clash with City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with Madrid holding a 3-2 lead in the tie after their victory at the Etihad Stadium last week. Bellingham felt he had let his side down with his dismissal for dissent, despite insisting the referee misunderstood him, and he apologised to his team-mates. All will be forgiven if he helps pull Madrid past Pep Guardiola's City and into the last 16. "Enough said about the misunderstanding, just wanted to apologise again for leaving my team-mates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding," wrote Bellingham on social media. "We'll see each other on Wednesday, (playing) at home." It was his second red card for arguing with referees since arriving in Spain from Borussia Dortmund in 2023. Despite his occasional frustration with officials, Bellingham has mostly been able to enjoy himself in Spain. His goals were crucial as Madrid won La Liga last season, and he helped his side claim their record-extending 15th Champions League trophy at Wembley, against his former side Dortmund. Bellingham was previously linked with City but on arrival at Madrid said once the Spanish giants came in for him he got "goosebumps" and that his heart nearly stopped. "I'd always been aware of the interest from England so that was pretty normal," he said after joining. "Money is not a thing for me. I don't think about money at all when I make these kind of decisions. I never have and will -- I play the game purely out of love... "It wasn't a case of other teams are bad or they weren't good but, for me, Madrid is the greatest." Big game Bellingham In his fairytale first season Bellingham scored 23 goals in 43 games across all competitions, as well as converting a penalty in the Champions League quarter-final shootout Madrid won against City. Bellingham has often shone in Madrid's key matches. The 21-year-old scored vital goals in both league Clasicos last season, and in both games against Girona, who for most of the season were Madrid's main title contenders. In the Champions League he set up Vinicius for a goal in the final against Dortmund, as well as scoring four times in the group stage. This season, operating in a slightly more withdrawn role following the arrival of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, he initially found it harder to find his spark in attack. Bellingham failed to find the net in his first 12 games, having netted double figures by the same time last season. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti backed the midfielder to come good and praised his hard work in a defensive capacity. Eventually Bellingham's nose for goal returned and he has scored 10 times in his last 20 games, as well as providing six assists. The most recent of those strikes came in the 92nd minute against City to snatch Madrid the advantage. The days since have been tumultuous but by the time the Champions League anthem is ringing out at the Bernabeu, Bellingham's mind will be focused on getting the job done.
