Anifowose Samson
Arsenal’s next opponents in the Champions League Real Madrid have been handed an unwelcome distraction after reports emerged that their manager Carlo Ancelotti is wanted by the Brazilian national team.
The South American powerhouse have been thrust into meltdown this week after being comfortably beaten 4-1 by Argentina in World Cup qualifying. Brazil are still expected to qualify with ease for the World Cup in 2026, but it has not stopped their current head coach Dorival Junior from feeling the heat.
Late on Wednesday night, Fabrizio Romano reported that Brazil are eyeing up a change of head coach before the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada arrives next year. Should they opt to switch head coaches, then there is seemingly only one man they want to bring in – Ancelotti – underlining question marks over his future.
The former Chelsea and Everton manager has won everything there is to win in domestic football, and has grown his stature further in his second stint with Los Blancos. Ancelotti is, though, said to be fully focused on the project at the Bernabeu and doesn’t want to consider his future in Spain until after this summer’s Club World Cup.
While Ancelotti is insisting it is business as usual for him, it is still a hot topic which Real would have preferred not to have in the forefront as they attempt to win the treble this season. Standing in their way of European glory this term are the Gunners – who realistically have just one shot remaining at silverware this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side crushed PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the round of 16 to advance to their clash with Real in April. Ancelotti’s men were altogether more fortunate to progress after a controversial penalty shootout victory against rivals Atletico Madrid.
Julian Alvarez’s goal in a penalty shootout was ruled out after he was deemed to have double-tapped the ball. The Gunners will be hoping to take inspiration from their women’s team who came from 2-0 down to beat Real Madrid 3-2 on aggregate this week in their Champions League tie.
