Discover Ancelotti's Secret Weapon - His Son: Unbelievable Talent!

Ancelotti's Secret Weapon - His Son

When it comes to the Champions League nights, Real Madrid has made the extraordinary seem normal.

They proved this in their recent semi-final. With 10 minutes left in the second leg, Bayern was 1-0 up at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real was on the verge of being eliminated.

Davide Ancelotti had been urging his father, Carlo, to make a specific substitution.

Jude Bellingham, known for his timely runs into the box from midfield, was getting tired. Bayern focused all their energy on defending against Vinicius Jr.'s power and speed.

Davide saw that the team needed more presence in the box, a player to split the defenders' attention. He suggested Joselu, a tall player with a striker's instinct.

The former Stoke and Newcastle forward had joined Real on a season's loan from second division Espanyol. Few would have expected him to produce some late brilliance. But as a frustrated Carlo Ancelotti looked to his son on the bench, Davide made his point: "Joselu dai." "Dai," an Italian term, means 'come on.'

Carlo agreed and told the striker to warm up. Brought on in the 81st minute, Joselu capitalized on a Manuel Neuer error to equalize and followed it up with a quick second goal, sending the Spaniards to another Champions League final. Ten minutes, two goals. The power of one substitution.

Once again, Davide had made the right call. Carlo's son, as Real's assistant manager, continues to be his secret weapon.

Davide and Carlo Ancelotti

How does Real keep reaching finals despite not having a clear footballing philosophy?

Davide has stated in many interviews that their success comes from flexibility. They adapt to the situation. There is no set ideology. They may start a game with a 4-3-3 setup, but it can change many times during a single game.

In an intriguing interview with Corriere dello Sport, Carlo Ancelotti explained: "I don't believe in ideologies like Guardiolismo, Sarrismo... I believe in the identity of the team."

Instead of sticking to a style of play that needs certain players to succeed, the Italian pragmatically builds his tactics around the talents of his players.

"A clever coach adapts the game to his players' characteristics. He would be an idiot if, with a forward like Vinicius, who is very fast, he didn't use counter-attacks. Another example: if I have Cristiano [Ronaldo], I look for a way to get the ball to him often, I don't ask him to defend."

Since his return to Real Madrid, Ancelotti has focused more than ever on adapting to opponents, creating chaos, forcing errors, and capitalizing on them.

Bayern Munich was not the first team undone by Real in a fast turnaround.

Much of this approach's success is due to Davide, who has become a valued asset on the bench. He challenges his father tactically.

Javi Martinez, the former Bayern midfielder, has played for both Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola.

He described Davide's role in his father's continued success.

"The evolution process never stops and it is more difficult for older coaches to adapt," he said.

"Davide completes Carlo and helps him understand football's evolution. Davide is incredible: prepared, serious, a great person, like his father."

Joselu's two late goals sent Real Madrid into the Champions League final

 Joselu's late goals completed a remarkable semi-final turnaround - having been brought on at Davide Ancelotti's suggestion

Once a footballer himself, Davide knew early on that he wanted to be a coach like his father. He understood tactics and would give input on organizing a team even as a child.

A naturally curious boy, if he was interested in something, he wanted to learn everything about it. As the son of one of Italy’s greatest tacticians, Davide became consumed with being the best he could be.

A sports science graduate, he joined his father's staff at Paris St-Germain. At Bayern Munich, he became his father's assistant coach. As he often states, his primary role is to offer his father a different tactical perspective. At Real Madrid, his value to the squad has grown more important.

Davide wants to learn all there is to learn about the game. He watches countless games around Europe, studying the opponents and analyzing data on his own players. He oversees training, manages set-piece routines, and devises certain patterns of play.

However, his true value lies in his ability to quickly decide the route to victory during specific moments in a game.

Take the first league match of the 2022-23 season. Real Madrid had conceded an early goal to Almeria. It took until the 61st minute to find the equalizer, but they needed a winner.

Luka Modric won a free-kick, and Davide was seen giving detailed instructions to incoming substitute David Alaba on the sidelines. Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema stood over the ball, ready to take the set-piece. Davide interjected. Speaking to his father, Davide explained why Alaba should come on right away and take the free-kick.

The set-piece was on the right, perfect for one of Alaba's sweet left-footed strikes. The defender scored. The win was secured.

Davide, who speaks five languages, has good relationships with Real's players. He can often be seen giving them instructions. He works with them after hours to develop their game.

For example, take Karim Benzema's defensive positioning at corners. Davide worked with the French striker to improve his defensive contribution and reduce goals conceded from set-pieces.

Aurelien Tchouameni has spent plenty of time after regular training working with Davide to better understand how to receive the ball, how to turn his body, and how to adapt his posture, allowing him to play in several positions. This has been especially helpful as Madrid lost several center-backs to injuries this season.

What next for Davide Ancelotti?

By identifying opposition weaknesses and knowing how to shift the momentum of a match, Real has enjoyed some remarkable recent European successes.

The epic comeback from two goals down on aggregate against PSG in 2022? It started by asking Benzema to apply a little pressure on Gianluigi Donnarumma when the goalkeeper had the ball at his feet. Carlo Ancelotti admitted to preparing the tactic, aware of the goalkeeper's vulnerability when playing out. Benzema forced the error, scored a goal, and the whole tie was transformed.

Studying opponents to find weaknesses is Davide's strength. He uses his knowledge and data analysis to advise his father on the best approach to the game.

He drew inspiration from Arsenal's approach in their 0-0 Premier League draw against Manchester City in March. He noted how the defensive low block frustrated City. When Real traveled to Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final two and a half weeks later, a game plan was formed. Playing a defensive game frustrated City. Real still needed a penalty shootout to get through, but they made it.

Davide has dismissed accusations of nepotism and is now a coach in demand. Just a few days ago, he was linked with the top job at French Ligue 1 club Reims. A decision on his future is approaching, but in the meantime, he has yet another Champions League final to prepare for. Will Real win their second European final in three years?