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Carlo Ancelotti: Carletto's Way
Although Roberto Mancini’s Inter have started the new season well, he still has some way to go before he can emulate his city cousin Carlo Ancelotti. Dominique Antognoni talks exclusively to the Milan Coach
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There is no doubt that Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most fortunate Coaches in world football today. But as the old saying goes: ‘Fortune favours the brave.’ Carletto certainly has been brave since taking over Milan three and a half years ago. After a dogged time as Juventus Coach he came to Milan and fielded as many talented players as was feasible. It could have seen Milan go the way of Real Madrid. Instead, the Rossoneri have gone from strength to strength.
After winning countless trophies during his spell as a player with Milan, he is now continuing to add silverware to his cabinet as a Coach. Winning certainly breeds contentment. Over the summer he was given the players he requested and, after a stuttering start to the season, the Rossoneri are starting to look back at their awesome best. What more could you want? “Another Champions’ League title,” Ancelotti quickly responds. “That night in Manchester was something extraordinary. I want us to experience some more nights like that.”
While there has been much talk about all the new players brought into Inter’s new-look side, Ancelotti has merely refined a few areas of his near-perfect machine. “I look at my players and they all seem very calm, aware of their capabilities. Milan is a club with a winning mentality and it provides us with the ideal surroundings to prepare for the big matches.”
Carlo, your side has recently been dubbed by the media as cannibals, because you win all the trophies leaving, the rest to fight over the scraps.
That’s not entirely true. Last season we lost our way in the Champions’ League, Inter-Continental Cup and Coppa Italia. It was a shame, especially with the Inter-Continental Cup, because we weren’t in perfect physical condition otherwise I believe we would have won that trophy. Now we must win the Champions’ League again so that we can earn the right to contend the Inter-Continental Cup.
Is the Champions’ League still the most coveted trophy in your opinion?
Yes. All my life I have preferred the Champions’ League to Serie A. That night at Old Trafford was unforgettable.
You will be able to work in peace given that you have also signed a contract extension.
I never had any doubts that I would sign. I even got to specify my own wage demands – unlike when I first signed and accepted without even looking at the figure.
How did it come about that you signed for Milan in the first place?
Adriano Galliani came to my house a few days before I was supposed to be signing for Parma. I had no doubts. I wanted Milan. I was full of emotion.
What does Milan signify for you?
Every time I go towards Milanello it’s as if I am coming home, not going to work.
While Inter are struggling to get to grips with a new Coach and Roma are constantly battling against daily outbreaks of indiscipline, it appears that Milan’s main rivals are once again Juventus.
The main difference between Milan and those squads is that we have changed very little from the last few seasons. We have a settled squad and way of playing. When we go on to the pitch we know that we can win because all the players at my disposal have all done it before. I may have changed a few minor tactical points, but otherwise we are still the same squad that broke all the records last season. With regards to Juventus, they must always be considered as contenders. And the arrival of Fabio Cannavaro, for me, has proved decisive.
One of your new tactics is using Manuel Rui Costa in Andrea Pirlo’s role.
As similar as the two are in terms of technique, I would say that they both offer something different to the way we play. Pirlo is very direct and passes straight to the heart of the opponent’s defence. Rui, on the other hand, likes to open up the play on the wings.
In your opinion does the new position favour Rui Costa?
Of course he would prefer to play further up the pitch, behind the strikers, so that they could be closer to the opponent’s goal. However, Rui doesn’t lose any of his qualities if you play him further back. In that position you feel more responsible. The ball is always played through you. You are the most important player on the pitch.
You have five players all vying for the same position – Pirlo, Rui Costa, Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Vikash Dhorasoo. How do you keep them all content?
The most important thing is that they all understand that they are important parts of the squad. The ability to rotate depends largely on the players’ intelligence and loyalty to the group. If Rui Costa had said to me that he would only play behind the strikers then there is no way I could have tried him in Andrea Pirlo’s role. Now I have more options and he has twice as much chance of playing. Kaka is my No 10. Everyone knows that and has to adapt, including Seedorf.
Could Kaka play as a second striker?
No. His strength lies in coming from deep.
Would your Milan ever play with four creative midfielders?
I could never do without Gennaro Gattuso. He, on his own, can guarantee a certain balance to my side, evening out dynamism and strength with creativity. He is unique.
Silvio Berlusconi has compared Andriy Shevchenko to Marco Van Basten. What do you think?
I agree, although the two are different. Whereas Van Basten had more class, Sheva has more power.
What do you think of Van Basten as the new Dutch Coach?
If you had asked me that a few years ago I would have burst out laughing. Marco never seemed interested in the technical and tactical side of the game. Then, two years ago, we saw each other again and he was training the youth side at Ajax. He had changed. He was curious and watching everything.
Enough of the old, let’s talk about the new. What has Jaap Stam brought to the club?
Strength and quality. It has been easy for him to settle in quickly, because we already had a quality defence. His aerial ability will also help us cut out the difficulties we have experienced at set pieces recently.
Paolo Maldini - central defender or left-back?
In the Italian Super Cup I played Paolo at left-back and he had a wonderful game. But he won’t play there all season. While Stam was injured I reverted him to the centre. I have Giuseppe Pancaro and Kakha Kaladze for the role of left-back so we are well covered in all positions.
Aged 36 Maldini is still in perfect shape. Does that surprise you?
All I can say is Paolo is Paolo. He is irreplaceable. When he asks me to rest him, then I will rest him. But only if he asks me.
Will you be rotating the squad this season?
There are 20 teams in Serie A this year, with midweek games added to the already over-flowing calendar. Rotation will certainly be used with more regularity than in previous seasons and that will also help motivate some players.
Like Christian Abbiati who asked to leave in preseason?
I understand why he wanted to go. He has been the victim of Dida’s explosion on to the scene. His ambitions have taken a blow, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is an excellent goalkeeper. I haven’t forgotten his wonderful save from Mohammed Kallon in the Champions’ League semi-final two seasons ago. But everyone knows that players only stay at Milan if they are happy. And Abbiati has stayed.
Would you agree that Milan are the symbol of Italian football?
I am happy that people come to watch Milan and enjoy themselves. We have worked hard to move in this direction. We always aim to entertain and have, at the same time, produced a winning football. And if I may be so bold, it also acts as a deterrent to those few uneducated people who come to Italian stadiums to cause trouble.
Returning to the battle for Lo Scudetto. What do you think of your main rivals?
Roma have a lot of youngsters, but if they can put their problems behind them they are certainly in the top four in Italy. Juventus are Juventus. If you think they were considered dead and buried after they drew their first leg in the Champions’ League preliminaries with Djurgarden only to come back stronger than ever. Then there is Inter. Under Mancini they play an entertaining brand of football. Given time they will be fighting us for top honours again.
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| Interviewed: November 2004 |
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