Ancelotti closes in on another record as Real Madrid reach Spanish Super Cup final
The Italian can win his 11th title with Los Blancos on Sunday
Carlo Ancelotti managed his 263rd official match with Real Madrid on Wednesday as Los Blancos defeated city-rivals Atletico Madrid 5-3 in one of their most memorable comebacks in the Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ancelotti has won 10 titles with the Whites as of yet and can equal the legendary Zinedine Zidane's tally, who won 11 trophies, by winning the final on January 14 against the winner of FC Barcelona vs Osasuna.
Miguel Munoz is the most decorated manager in Real Madrid’s history with 14 titles in 605 official matches, and Zidane is the next with 11 accolades in 263 matches.
Los Blancos are alive in all competitions this season and Ancelotti, who recently extended his contract till 2026, has a bright chance to equal or overtake Munoz and cement his name in Madrid’s history forever.
Talking after the historic comeback as Los Blancos came from 2-3 behind to a 5-3 win, Ancelotti praised the team’s DNA saying that they never give up.
“This is the DNA of Real Madrid. This team never gives up,” the Italian said in a post-match presser. “I am happy that we advanced to the final. It was a very difficult match. We managed to win. It was a match that both teams could win. I think we saved a little more energy for the end and won."
It must be noted that Real Madrid had a disappointing start as they conceded an early goal from Mario Hermoso, a former academy player, in the sixth minute. However, Los Blancos responded quickly with a goal from in-form Antonio Rudiger in the 20th minute.
The Whites soon took the lead in the 29th minute as Ferland Mendy put the ball in the back of the net with an exquisite finish, but the game soon equalled in the 37th minute with Antoine Griezmann scoring a brilliant goal with his weak foot.
The game went evenly, both teams were struggling to score in the second half but Kepa Arrizabalaga’s mistake in the 78th minute put Real Madrid behind once again.
With just 12 minutes remaining, it seemed like a done deal for Diego Simeone’s men, who are excellent at defending narrow leads, but Dani Carvajal scored just seven minutes before the final whistle.
The game went to extra time where the Whites’ on-loan striker Joselu scored in the 116th minute, ending all of Atletico’s hopes. The lead was doubled by Brahim Diaz who outpaced Jan Oblak’s just before the final whistle and ended Real Madrid’s dream night on a high note.
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