Italian media praise ‘best in the world’ Ancelotti as Italian coach matches Zidane’s haul by beating Barça

Italian sports papers celebrate Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid victory over Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup, calling the Italian tactician the ‘best in the world’ and the ‘Ballon d’Or of coaches.’

Ancelotti has not only won his first trophy of 2023-24 with the Merengues, but the Spanish Supercup lifted at the King Saud University Stadium in Ryiad on Sunday means the Italian tactician has now won 11 titles at Real Madrid, matching Zizou Zidane’s haul.

As reported by Il Corriere dello Sport, Ancelotti has now targeted Miguel Muñoz, the most successful coach at Real Madrid with 14 trophies. The former Italy international will have time to match the legendary Merengues tactician as he’s recently signed a contract extension until June 2026 with the La Liga giants.

Italian media are full of praise for Ancelotti after his 4-1 triumph over Barcelona on Sunday.

La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Alessandro Vocalelli lauded the Italian tactician not only for his impressive achievements but also for his personality. “Ancelotti doesn’t show off as many of his colleagues would do,” he wrote.

“The Coach’s Ballon d’Or is nearing without expecting a place in the first row, even for the official picture. You will always find him on a side, perhaps with a hand on a player’s shoulder. This is his style and elegance which escapes fashion. It’s been like this since he made his debut 30 years ago. Because you can be the best in the world and still be yourself.”

Ancelotti, 64, is the only coach to have lifted the Champions League four times, twice with Milan and twice with Real Madrid, and the only one to have won the domestic title in each of the top five European leagues: Italy, Spain, England, Germany and France.