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December 11, 2014

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Ancelotti鈥檚 Real has potential to eclipse Guardiola鈥檚 Barca

CARLO Ancelotti’s record-breaking Real Madrid side is sweeping aside all before it with a brand of counter-attacking football that could see the Spanish giant eclipse the achievements of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Ahead of the Champions League final in May, Ancelotti’s position at Real was far from secure after the side finished third in La Liga, but beating Atletico Madrid to claim its 10th European crown cemented his place in the club’s history.

With the pressure off, Real has sparkled and its 4-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad on Tuesday saw it become the first Spanish team to win 19 matches in succession, going one better than Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona side in 2005-06.

“The results have been achieved by hard work and professionalism,” Ancelotti said.

“It is not easy to maintain the motivation and desire but we will continue this way and prepare for games in the best way.”

Real qualified from Group B with a 100 percent record and now has nine consecutive victories in the Champions League.

Italian Ancelotti has forged a winning mentality and through his affable nature, healed the rifts that were part of life in the Real dressing room under predecessor Jose Mourinho.

“The relationship with my players is very good. They are very important to me and I take every opportunity I can to thank them. Our present situation can only come about if all components come together. I have felt a lot of support from the club also in September when things were not going well for us,” he said.

Guardiola’s Barcelona will go down in history for its success and the way that it played the game. With its short-passing football, it won two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles in a four-year spell.

However, playing a counter-attacking style based on pace and the remarkable skills of Cristiano Ronaldo, this Real team has the potential to be one of the all-time greats and possibly surpass the achievements of Guardiola’s side.


 

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