Ancelotti faces pivotal challenge as Real clash with Pachuca in Lusail

Crisis is a term seldom linked to Real Madrid or their manager Carlo Ancelotti. Nonetheless, the ongoing season has questioned that assumption. After a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League in late November, the Spanish titans secured three victories and one stalemate in their recent five outings across all tournaments.

Currently positioned third in La Liga with 37 points from 17 fixtures, Real trail leaders Barcelona by only one point, although Barca have contested an extra match.

Their Champions League journey, however, remains uncertain, with automatic advancement to the Round of 16 still not assured.
The campaign commenced on a promising note with Ancelotti guiding Madrid to a UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta. Yet inconsistency has since haunted a squad that embraced French attacker Kylian Mbappe following last year’s La Liga and Champions League successes.

A crushing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in October, subpar displays against lower-tier league adversaries, and Champions League losses to Liverpool, AC Milan, and Lille have sparked genuine doubts about Ancelotti’s leadership. Despite renewing his contract last year amid speculation tying him to Brazil’s national squad, Ancelotti’s tenure beyond this season might depend on clinching significant trophies.

His present deal extends until 2026, but a trophyless term could mark the conclusion of his second chapter in Madrid.
This evening, Ancelotti has an opportunity to rejuvenate his side’s faltering season when Madrid confront Mexican team Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Triumph over Pachuca would make Ancelotti Real Madrid’s most decorated manager, eclipsing the iconic Miguel Munoz, who achieved 14 titles during his spell from 1960 to 1974.

Prior to the final, the 65-year-old addressed the growing scrutiny surrounding his squad, emphasizing that football doesn’t always align with expectations, particularly following such a triumphant campaign last season.

“As I mentioned, I get the criticism because Real Madrid claimed La Liga and the Champions League last season, then they signed the finest player globally during the summer. So everyone assumes it’s going to be effortless. That’s not how football operates. Football is about battling in every match, realizing you can’t dictate everything consistently,” he remarked.

“We cannot regulate the outcomes of games. Occasionally you merit victory and don’t achieve it; other times, you deserve defeat but prevail. I believe that’s the root of this criticism—the fact that this team delivered such an exceptional performance last year and then added the world’s top player. One plus one equals two, but that’s not always the case in football,” he elaborated.

Ancelotti recognized the difficulty posed by Pachuca, noting: “Every match carries risks. Pachuca are here because they’ve deserved it, defeating Botafogo and Al Ahly. We respect their ability. Finals are intense, and we must ensure the squad is fully prepared.”

Madrid have suffered notable injury challenges, with defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao sidelined indefinitely due to ACL injuries, and David Alaba still recovering from a similar setback. Mbappe, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga are also contending with short-term fitness hurdles. Vinicius Junior is likewise part of the team, having made his comeback from injury during Tuesday’s Champions League triumph in Bergamo.

Mbappe, who has netted 12 goals this season, missed Madrid’s 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday owing to a thigh issue but has been named in the squad for the final against Pachuca. The French star, who trained yesterday at the Lusail Stadium, has primarily been utilized as a central striker at Madrid and is yet to rediscover the prowess that saw him tally 44 goals for PSG last season.

Ancelotti expressed measured optimism about Mbappe’s participation. The Italian stated: “It’s straightforward: yesterday he trained effectively, felt comfortable. He performed some sprints, and all went smoothly. Today’s session is crucial, where we’ll assess his condition and any risk. If he’s fine, after consulting the doctors, he will feature.

If there’s minimal risk, certainly not. But his condition yesterday was very encouraging. We’re optimistic.” Pachuca’s regional triumph secured their position at the FIFA Derby of the Americas, meaning they needed two more victories to secure their place in this tournament’s finale. The Mexican team accomplished exactly that, with a 3-0 win over Botafogo on December 11 at Stadium 974, followed by an exhilarating penalty shootout success against Al Ahly after a goalless encounter at the same venue. Their steadfast belief and undeniable talent have carried Pachuca this far, promising an intriguing showdown with Real Madrid.

Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada underscored the importance of the event, saying: “We’re entering the game with a substantial load of matches, competing heavily across multiple tournaments. Our downtime has been minimal. We’ve focused on adding vigor to our play by fine-tuning various elements. It’s worked for us, and we aim to maintain this trajectory.”

He continued: “It’s a final, and regardless of the opponent… Real Madrid is among the most recognized brands worldwide. The most celebrated. Some rivals evoke specific sentiments, and unquestionably, a team of this stature is one of them.”

Almada also commended Ancelotti’s achievements while affirming his goal to deny the Italian coach another accolade. “What can I say about him? Any tribute I could offer, he’s richly earned. He’s undoubtedly one of the elites, with a remarkable résumé. We’ll strive to ensure he doesn’t become the coach with the most titles ever,” he commented.

“This is football. History doesn’t decide the contest; the players on the field do. We’ll work to defend our aspirations and compete against one of the globe’s most renowned clubs. Real Madrid is an excellent team, but we must prioritize our strengths.”