Ancelotti’s Real stays on track to deliver ‘decima’
Print Edition
When Real Madrid president Florentino Perez showed Vicente del Bosque the door in 2003 he could scarcely have imagined he would still be chasing a 10th European crown more than a decade later.
During two stints at the helm of the world’s richest club, construction magnate Perez has been through seven coaches since del Bosque was discarded but in Carlo Ancelotti he may finally have found the man who can secure the “decima” that has eluded Real since its last Champions League triumph in 2002.
Real began the season shakily under the Italian, who replaced Portuguese Jose Mourinho at the end of last term, but he has gradually moulded his expensively assembled squad into a formidable force with a mean defense and one of the most lethal attacks in football.
Wednesday’s 6-1 romp at Schalke 04 showcased the talents of the forward trio known collectively as “BBC” — Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo — with each scoring twice as Real totally overwhelmed the hapless Bundesliga side to practically ensure its place in the quarterfinals.
“It was the perfect match,” Ancelotti, who won the Champions League with AC Milan twice as a player and twice as a coach, said at a news conference after the last 16, first leg in Gelsenkirchen.
“We played a very good game as we scored two early goals and then things opened up for us,” the 54-year-old added.
“We made the most of the counter-attack and the speed of our forwards.”
Returning to action after serving a three-match ban in La Liga, Ronaldo took his goals tally in Europe’s elite club competition this season to 11.
With the Portugal forward and FIFA Ballon d’Or winner on such scintillating form and ably supported by Wales winger Bale and France striker Benzema it is hard to see how any team can stop Real from scoring.
“The three forwards scored and helped the team a lot, they are very dangerous in attack,” Ancelotti said.
“Cristiano doesn’t surprise me. He was really up for the game following his ban.
“Benzema’s performance was very good, not only for the goals but because he helped the team in holding on to the ball and also made assists.
“It could have been Bale’s best game of the season because he had more confidence and attacked very well in the deep areas.”
Real has a few days rest before it takes on Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s La Liga derby and victory would put it six points clear of its city rival with 12 games left. Champion Barcelona is also three points behind leader Real and hosts promoted Almeria in Sunday’s late game. Real’s return match at home to Schalke is on March 18.
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