For Real Madrid, Davide Ancelotti Is More Than Just Carlo's Son
JAKARTA - The practice session at Valdebebas was closed as if they were hiding the Coca-Cola formula. However, Real Madrid's open session at UCLA during their pre-season tour of the United States has exposed a new old world to the assembled press.
There is much to see and hear - for example the involvement and influence of Davide Ancelotti, who is more than just Carlo's son, the Los Blancos coach.
One of the first things that became clear was in December, six months after his return to Real Madrid and four months into the new season. Suddenly ahead of the derby at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Davide approached Karim Benzema.
It's not that Benzema needs direction, but the assistant coach explains to him how Atletico Madrid's defense can collapse and how deadly it can be to play a few yards wide.
In the 12th minute, when the score was 0-0, Vinicius Junior ran, lifted his head, read Benzema's movements and set the French striker to open the scoring.
Pre-season preparations showed similar signs, as Davide was in control and intense to the point of asking Carlo to pass the ball to him for practice.
Everyone was delighted that the relationship between the staff was almost perfect and natural, with other figures such as goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis also having a say.
Who is David Ancelotti?Quoted from Marca, Monday, August 1, Davide first set foot in Ciudad Real Madrid in 2013 as an assistant fitness coach.
Real Madrid are delighted with him, considering Ancelotti's son as a tireless professional, used to spending 12 hours a day on the training ground.
Always following in the footsteps of his father, who as a player and coach has explored every aspect of football, Davide previously made his way through Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy.
Later, at Bayern Munich he was promoted to Carlo's right-hand man. This will be his position until his father retires, possibly after ending his second term as Real Madrid coach.
Davide did well at Napoli and Everton, and he became the second-youngest coach in Premier League history.
With his shine, playing a good cop but also knowing how to set boundaries, he wins the dressing room and loses the label of the boss' son.
Meanwhile, his ability to speak Italian, French, Spanish, German and English makes it easy to communicate with players, clubs and staff.
As a player, Ancelotti's son rose through the ranks in AC Milan's Primavera team and tried his luck on loan in Serie D.
Now a successful coach, in June he married Andalusian artist Ana Galocha, with whom he has two sons, Lucas and Leonardo.