Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, shared his thoughts on the competitiveness of the ongoing La Liga season. He suggested that this year’s title race might not require the usual benchmark of 90+ points to secure the trophy, citing the strength of rivals Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ancelotti outlined his view of the competition:

"With Barcelona and Atlético fighting hard as well, this will be an exciting La Liga until the very end. This year, you might win the league with fewer than 90 points."

Reflections on 2024

When asked about the past year, Ancelotti highlighted the highs and lows of Real Madrid’s journey:

• The happiest moment: “Winning the Champions League. It’s been a fantastic and unforgettable year. Can it be repeated? I think so, if we bring out our best because we have an incredibly talented squad.”
• The toughest moment: “The defeat against Barcelona here at the Bernabéu.”

Ancelotti rated the year a "10 out of 10," celebrating Real Madrid’s five titles and looking ahead to 2025 with optimism: "Our aim is to compete, fight, and win the Champions League again."

Handling Criticism and Trusting Players

The Italian coach addressed the criticism he faces and the importance of trust in managing top talents:

"I can’t ask Santa Claus to stop the criticism in 2025. Criticism is a gift sometimes; it’s acceptable when you don’t do things as you should."

On nurturing star players like Kaká and Vinícius Júnior, Ancelotti emphasized the role of trust:

"I gave both of them confidence. When you trust talented players, they perform at their best. Of course, you can’t give it to everyone because players aren’t always at their peak."