Ancelotti’s pragmatism mirrors Xavi’s idealism

Carlo Ancelotti and Xavi were two midfielders throughout their football careers. First, he was a midfielder in the trade, a master of the tactical arts, and a leader in the great Milan. Second, Barça’s tiqui-taca example, modeled after La Masía, came to flirt with the Ballon d’Or. Madridista turned from pragmatism to football player; azulgrana, son of cruyffismo. And both have remained true to themselves in their coaching careers.

A priori warned against a volcanic Barça that put the games back on track in the first episodes. Face off against a diesel Madrid that swept up duels in the second half, reactivated by the bench and the Pintus factor. This announced which cadres Ancelotti left Rodrygo on the bench to restart the conflict and Xavi Gavi in ​​anticipation of a tough second move for his team. Madrid started the attack asymmetrically on the left with Vinicius facing Segi Roberto in the lane and Koundé in the coverage area.

Carletto warned in the preview that he learned something from a “brave Inter”. An example of something happened in the 12th minute, when the bench threw themselves back and handed the ball to azulgrana to look for tickles. And in a quick heist, Kroos found behind the culé defense, leaving Vinicius before Ter Stegen. The German blocked the goal, but Benzema rebounded against four Barça defenders. White Fang punished the defensive gaps of Xavi’s men once again. Like Inter… Madrid ended in favor of the score. Ancelotti, with his hands in his pockets, watched Barça sway calmly, until Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dembélé chained their chances and Carletto’s face changed. The wind had changed.

mouth of the glass

But there is one big difference between Madrid and Barça: their devastating punches. Another mistake of Eric was patiently managed in the Whites’ attack. Vinicius knew how to wait for the arrival of his teammates, Mendy read the game well and got behind Tchouaméni and saw the look behind Valverde and nailed his forward to the net. The Uruguayan has five of Ancelotti’s ten goals. Owning this half-baked Barça is still more of an excuse than a reason for being. In between, Ancelotti’s pragmatism punished Xavi’s idealism and azulgrana’s glass jaw.

Barça’s midfield is too young for some things and too experienced for others. Not enough for big business like last year, its front and back have been revived. And in it, a football player as great as in any other era Busquets is very exposed in a three-man midfield. Especially when attacking with an open team, every turnover sold with a turn to close the midfielder.

The game was an agonizing game for the Catalans who were waiting for a spark from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Dembéle, two agitators who had made the same offer, resigned. Madrid’s third goal was closer, a goal from Vinicius to Benzema after the diagonal, which the French made in the net but started offside. And then he searched for solutions by betting on Xavi, Gavi, Ferran, Jordi Alba and Ansu. Raphinha, the aforementioned Busquets, Balde and Dembélé left. Lampedusian changes everything so everything stays the same. Ancelotti drew his praetorian guard.

The defeat was done by a goal from Ferran reaching the far post. The last ten minutes were cheering, but there was no real feeling that the Catalans could make something out of a match they went through. especially after a penalty saved by VAR to Rodrygo after the Brazilian scored a penalty that sealed the victory. The match grew late and confirmed it It is established in an inexperienced Barcelona and Madrid. Two teams experiencing different vital moments, one in fullness and the other in full production. Beyond the validity of Barça’s proven game model, the question is whether Xavi has enough hierarchy to lead this restructuring. No one can dispute the maturity of this writer’s Madrid, cleverly created by the wise pragmatist Ancelotti.