Carlo Ancelotti's Approach: Adapting to Players, Not a Fixed Way of Play! (Patreon)

Carlo Ancelotti does not adhere to a fixed Way of Play. His primary goal is to equip his team with the fundamental understanding that when they don’t have the ball, they must defend, and when they have the ball, they must attack. He believes his greatest contribution is when the team is out of possession, focusing on providing more information to his players defensively, as it mainly involves concentration, sacrifice, and team spirit. In contrast, with the ball, creativity becomes paramount, and he values the players' freedom in attack. Thus, Ancelotti prioritizes defensive guidance and helps the team manage game situations effectively.

He emphasizes that he doesn’t have a rigid Way of Play; for instance, a build-up from the back is only feasible if there is space and if the goalkeeper and defenders have the necessary skills with the ball. However, when he notices the goalkeeper or defenders having more touches than the advanced players, he feels something is wrong.

For Ancelotti, the playing style must adapt to the characteristics of the players on the team, not the other way around.