In a recent appearance on DAZN, Davide Ancelotti shared some interesting insights about Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid.
As a former member of the Madrid staff alongside his father Carlo, 36-year-old Davide knows the club’s demands and the challenges of being a coach. For him, one element remains central to succeeding at Madrid: balance.
Finding Balance
“The key is always the same: achieving defensive balance. Every season, you have to find it. Sometimes, the coach has the time needed, but Xabi (Alonso) didn’t have that chance,” he explained, lamenting the little time given to the Basque to settle in.
Davide Ancelotti then emphasized a crucial aspect of locker room life: acceptance of roles. According to him, a team’s success doesn’t just depend on the stars, but also on everyone’s ability to understand and embrace their place.
Managing the Locker Room
“Players need to know their role, accept it, and excel in it. Having a different role doesn’t mean being less important. Joselu, for example, was the best at what he did the season we won the Champions League. He was often a substitute, but he knew it, accepted it, and excelled in that role. The same goes for Brahim Diaz,” he pointed out.
So, Carlo Ancelotti’s son highlights two simple ideas: time is a rare luxury for any Real Madrid coach, and collective balance relies on players committing to their mission. Álvaro Arbeloa, who has also faced criticism since his arrival, surely listened to these words with great attention.
