Former Real Madrid director of football Predrag Mijatovic has again questioned Carlo Ancelotti and said he is “not the same coach as last year”.
Pressure is starting to mount on Ancelotti with Madrid sitting in 24th place in the revamped Champions League group format. That would be good enough for a spot in the play-offs but leaves little margin for error with the teams that finish 25th to 36th eliminated.
The defending champions face two away games in their last three fixtures – at Europa League winners Atalanta and surprise package Brest – either side of a home game with Salzburg.
👔 @MrAncelotti becomes coach to have managed most European Cup games.
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Last night’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool was Madrid’s third in five Champions League games this season.
Mijatovic said earlier this month that he felt the team had “got out of Ancelotti’s hands” after the defeat to Milan and he repeated his criticism following the game at Anfield.
He told El Larguero: “I still think the same.
“It’s a complicated situation because a lot of players are injured and that’s the worst thing that can happen to a coach.
“But the feeling is, and I said this before, that he wants to please everyone and is listening to voices from outside.
“We don’t have to look for culprits but the feeling is the coach is not the same as last year.”
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What to do with Mbappe?
Ancelotti, who has won three Champions League crowns as well as two La Ligas and two FIFA Club World Cup across two spells with Madrid, also has an increasing problem with the form of Kylian Mbappe.
The France captain will get the chance to play in his preferred left-sided role over the next few weeks with Vinicius Jr injured but he failed to sparkle at Anfield, missing a penalty as his difficult start to life at Madrid continued.
Mijatovic, however, is confident the former Paris Saint-Germain star will come good at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He said: “We have to take into account something very important. Last year he made the decision not to renew his contract at PSG and was put under tremendous pressure. He has been dragging this problem round since last year.
“It’s not easy for such a young kid to endure so much pressure.”
Difficult to play at Madrid
He added: “Then he comes to a team like Real Madrid in which it is very difficult to play. You can have great seasons at your previous club but then come to Madrid and find another atmosphere and other demands.
“I have no doubt that he will find his best form and start to perform fantastically.”
