Before to their Champions League quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his sadness over Chelsea’s recent struggles.
Between 2009 and 2011, the Italian manager oversaw the Blues, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010.
In the beginning of April, 11th-placed Chelsea fired coach Graham Potter and replaced him with Frank Lampard on an interim basis.
Before the first leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, Ancelotti said at a press conference, “I am sad, certainly.
“I have wonderful memories of this club and the staff members that are still there.
I obviously support Chelsea because I spent two incredibly wonderful years there.
Ancelotti, who has a year left to run on his contract with Madrid, said he did not see himself returning to Stamford Bridge for a second stint in charge.
“Be back? No, I hope that Lampard is able to do a fantastic job with them,” added Ancelotti.
The Real Madrid coach did not think his extra years of experience compared to Lampard, whom he managed at Chelsea, would make a difference in the tie.
“He has 20 years less experience, but that will not change what will happen in the game,” continued Ancelotti.
“He was a fantastic player, extraordinary, he knows very well what can happen in these games but experience, in these matches, I don’t think counts for much.
“He arrived at the club a week ago, with a lot of players that he already knew, I think he’ll do well in the time that he’s at Chelsea.”
Madrid, who won the Champions League last season, are looking to lift the trophy for the sixth time in 10 seasons.
Ancelotti said midfielder Fede Valverde was training well, despite the storm brewing around him in recent days.
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Spanish reports say he punched Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena after their La Liga clash on Saturday.
Baena said he had reported a Real Madrid player to the police after being attacked following his team’s 3-2 win over the Spanish and European champions.
“He was motivated today, like the rest of them, he trained well, I know him very well,” said Ancelotti.
“He has a special human quality, extraordinary, and about what happened, I don’t want to speak about it, but I’m sure tomorrow he’ll give everything, as always.”
Real Madrid defender David Alaba also showed his backing for his team-mate.
“He’s (doing) very good, he’s got all the support from us for sure,” Alaba told reporters.
“He’s training well, he looks sharp and focused for the game tomorrow, but I can’t say more about those things that happened.”
AFP
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