Ancelotti reveals Chelsea's demise on Bridge's return
A little less than two weeks ago, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly made the call to legendary Blues player Frank Lampard, asking him to return and try to right the ship.
It might have been Carlo Ancelotti speaking to the American in a different reality.
Ancelotti, who will be playing for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg match on Tuesday, will instead return to the Stamford Bridge dugout simply as an adversary.
After Zinedine Zidane resigned in 2021, Madrid president Florentino Perez was responsible for bringing the Italian back for a second tenure in charge.
With goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio in the opening game, Ancelotti's Madrid defeated the Blues, and they had the opportunity to score more as they had complete control of the game.
Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger, both former Chelsea players, made significant saves and blocks at the other end to deny Lampard's team a goal.
Ancelotti's return to Chelsea brings back pleasant memories of one of the best Premier League teams in history, which he led to the club's first-ever league and FA Cup double in 2010—happy times in sharp contrast to the Blues' current decline.
Big names on Lampard's Chelsea team included Didier Drogba, John Terry, Michael Ballack, and the Italian himself. They cruised to domestic success at the Bridge by winning 7-0, 7-1, and 8-0.
Chelsea's current mishmash of players lacks the leadership and talent of that squad, as their defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu last week sadly revealed.
Prior to that match, Ancelotti stated, "I am sad, definitely. "I have wonderful memories of this club and the staff members that are still there.
"I obviously support Chelsea since I spent two incredibly wonderful years there.
I believe and am hopeful that Lampard will be able to work wonders with them.
It was a kind comment from Ancelotti, but the Italian will be hoping that his coach is not nearly as kind on Tuesday night in London under the lights.
Roman Abramovich, the club's then-owner, fired Ancelotti in 2011, bringing an end to his brief but noteworthy two-season reign.
Madrid, who are defending their championship after defeating Liverpool last season, appeared miles ahead of the 2021 champions in the Spanish city as they pursue a record-extending 15th Champions League victory.
Ancelotti was selected as a safe pair of hands for the position despite not being the first, second, or third choice. He also assisted Madrid in winning La Liga the previous season.
He was careful to add out that while it's not the only one, having outstanding man management is a crucial trait for Los Blancos coaches, just like it was for Zidane before him.
Before the first leg, Ancelotti claimed, "I am 'great' at managing, but there are other aspects, since this team is well-trained.
There are clubs who will never win that in their entire careers. If we win the Copa del Rey, we will have won every title that can be won in two years.
Players on the team like Dani Ceballos, Nacho Fernandez, and Asensio have been kept motivated and helpful by Ancelotti; the latter scored once more at Cadiz over the weekend. generally speaking.
Eden Hazard, a former Chelsea star, has remained a peripheral figure, and his former supporters will be hoping not to see him on Tuesday because if the Belgian does, it means Madrid has already secured advancement and the big players are taking a break.
After the first leg loss, Lampard said, "The door is open and it's up to us to kick it open further." He was hoping for a comeback.
With his squad being so deadly on the break against desperate opposition and the coach being astute enough to play to their strengths, it will be music to Ancelotti's ears.
The 63-year-old has won the title six times—twice as a player and four times as a coach—and recently noted that he is getting close to coaching his 1,300th game.
He may be able to highlight chasms where he formerly left cutlery and memories on Tuesday thanks to his experience and stability, which stand in sharp contrast to Chelsea's ramshackle endeavour.
