Sacchi also provides insight on Florentino Perez’s lack of interest in signing defenders
Former Real Madrid sporting director Arrigo Sacchi has come to Carlo Ancelotti’s defense.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi made it clear that he believes the criticism being directed at Ancelotti is not only unfair—but deeply misguided.
“What makes me sad, even though it’s part of football, is that everyone criticizes Carletto for their elimination from the Champions League and blames him for it,” Sacchi said. “Do these people have any idea who Ancelotti is? Do they know what he’s won?”
Sacchi’s words come during what is arguably the most intense stretch of scrutiny Ancelotti has faced in his second spell at Real Madrid. After a promising summer, injuries and poor football have led to an underwhelming campaign on all fronts. Still, Sacchi labelled Ancelotti as “a true master of football.”
“Not only for his trophies, but also for his human qualities,” Sacchi emphasized. “Real Madrid should think twice or three times before parting ways with someone like Carletto.”
Sacchi highlighted the injury crisis that ravaged the squad, forcing Madrid to compete in several high-stakes matches without a single natural center-back.
“Let’s take a look at their squad this season. They had a lot of injuries and were forced to play many games without a natural defender,” Sacchi pointed out.
Sacchi didn’t shy away from critiquing the club’s overall sporting strategy either: “They signed a striker (Mbappe) who was supposed to be a phenomenon, but he didn’t play like one.”
Drawing on his own experience as Real Madrid’s technical director from December 2004 to December 2005, Sacchi offered insight into the club’s inner workings—particularly the way club president Florentino Pérez operates.
“I know the Real Madrid environment well, and I’m familiar with Florentino Pérez,” he explained. “He’s a great president, but he focuses too much on the forwards. Think that to convince him to sign Sergio Ramos, I had to fight for three months, because he doesn’t even look at the defenders.”
