Carlo Ancelotti insists his future is not on the line as Real Madrid head into tonight’s Clasico at Barcelona knowing defeat is not an option.
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A series of poor results and disjointed performances have left Ancelotti under heavy pressure, with club president Florentino Perez last week forced into holding a press conference to deny reports that the Italian will be sacked if his team loses heavily at the Nou Camp.
Victory tonight would leave Barca four points clear at the top of La Liga with just 10 games remaining, and Ancelotti is focused more on the significance of the game in the title race than what it might mean for his job security.
Ancelotti: “We have a lot of confidence going into this game…it’s an opportunity to win and return to the top of the league” #realmadrid
— Nicholas Rigg (@nicholasrigg) March 21, 2015
“I don’t think my future is at stake,” he said. “It is a very important game for both clubs with a worldwide appeal, and we have to enjoy it.”
Having defended himself against suggestions he is too soft with his players, Ancelotti was again keen to emphasise that he knows how to provide clear leadership in the dressing room.
“Patience is part of my personality but it has its limits,” he added. “In this job, you have to have a cool head in your relationships with the press, with the club and with the players. But I also have a positive attitude, especially with these players. We haven’t played well recently but my confidence in them has not changed.”
Ancelotti also claimed that recent personal criticisms have done nothing to dim his enthusiasm for his job, saying: “I’m motivated by the fact that I enjoy my work and that I am coaching the greatest club in the world.
“I am honoured to be an important part of these games. I’m very fortunate because I would buy aticket to see a game like this.”
Two individuals to have been singled out for criticism in recent weeks are under-performing forwards Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have struggled for goals as well as being accused of failing to make sufficient effort to help the team defensively.
Bale’s double against Levante last Sunday were his first goals since January 24 while the previously prolific Ronaldo has three in his last nine La Liga matches.
Ancelotti said: “Cristiano maybe hasn’t been at his very best but he has still been good – his two goals saved us in the Champions League against Schalke. He is fine. And Bale’s position will not change. All the players have the same level of responsibility – we ask for the same from all of them.”
Although a draw would be by no means a bad result for Madrid tonight – leaving them one point adrift of Barca with the Catalans facing testing trips to Atletico Madrid and Sevilla over the remaining weeks of the season – Ancelotti is only thinking of trying to win.
“I have never settled for a draw in my whole career,” he said. “We have the quality to win the game, just as Barcelona do. Nobody will settle for anything.”
As well as forcing the issues, Madrid must also contain Lionel Messi with the Argentine in sensational form since the turn of the year.
The 27-year-old has 20 goals and 13 assists this calendar year, and while El Mundo Deportivo reported this week a new nutritionist has helped him lose 3.5kg this season, coach Luis Enrique believes his football intelligence has been key to his fantastic form.
Enrique said: “More than his numbers, he can do what’s necessary at that moment within the game. We’ve seen other players at a similar level but the thing that makes Messi different is his ability to read the game. He is willing to drop back and defend, and he makes the right choices in attack.”
