July 16 – After passing the test of the press conference at the end of June, Carlo Ancelotti begins his adventure on the field with the Real Madrid retreat. Concluding his vacation in Toronto, Ancelotti slipped back in his uniform to begin a season with the “team I’ve always wanted to coach,” as he himself put it while chatting with reporters. The first training session was held yesterday afternoon in Valdebebas, training center of the Merengues, while next week a cycle of friendly matches will begin, with the first challenge at Bournemouth in England. It is officially the beginning of a new season and probably of a new era for Cristiano Ronaldo & co, and the team seems to require the professionalism and calmness brought by the new coach, beyond his undisputed technical and tactical abilities. The general ambiance, overheated by Mourinho’s character, has left Santiago Bernabeu fans wishing for calmer waters. Upon his arrival, the Italian coach showed his confidence and privacy, without attracting too much attention. Despite the tranquility that sets him apart, however, the coach has cleared his voice to attract the best players available, thus adding to the talent of Isco and Illarramendi promising young Spaniards who performed well in the European Under- 21 that took place last month in Israel. In Madrid, the hope is that Ancelotti may immediately cancel out Barcelona’s advantage, and bring home the tenth Champions League trophy. A goal that, if achieved, will have an Italian flavor, not only thanks to Ancelotti’s presence, but also with that of William Vecchi made, yesterday, the goalkeeping coach. At 64, Vecchi has already collaborated with Ancelotti in Parma and Milan, contributing to forming real champions, like Buffon and Dida.
