Carlo Ancelotti repeated his promise on Saturday that Real Madrid will play attractive, attacking soccer as he predicted a good result for their opening league match against Real Betis on Sunday.
When the hugely-experienced Ancelotti was presented as the new coach in June he said Real would play “spectacular football” so far the players appeared to have responded well to that philosophy.
The Spanish giants have won six and drawn one of their seven pre-season matches, including victories over Paris St Germain, Inter Milan and a Chelsea side now managed by former boss Jose Mourinho.
In the short term, that has been widely appreciated by fans but winning a 10th European Cup and bettering arch-rivals Barcelona, of course, remain the ultimate tests for Ancelotti.
After directing Real Madrid’s last training session before their La Liga debut, Ancelotti remarked his intention of changing Real’s style from dominating possession with a more patient approach.
The world’s richest sports club by revenue according to the annual survey by business services group Deloitte, have hardly been quiet in the transfer market so far as they seek to improve on a trophy-less end to the 2012-2013 season.
They have already signed three midfielders, young Brazilian Casemiro and Spanish Under-21 internationals Asier Illarramendi and Isco for around 75 million euros.
Right back Dani Carvajal, another Spanish Under-21 international, was also brought back from Bayer Leverkusen.
Although Ancelotti insists he is happy with the squad the nine-time European champions have been chasing Welsh winger Gareth Bale since the end of the last season.
Asked about the attacking midfielder during Saturday’s news conference, the 54-year-old coach smiled and said he was content with his squad but a quality player would improve any squad.
It seems that if Real Madrid wants to sign the 24-year-old the club would have to break the world transfer record. Local media bandied figures would excess 100 million euros (85.25 million pounds).
Back to Sunday’s (August 18) La Liga match, Ancelotti said he will be without midfielder Xabi Alonso and full back Raphael Varane.
Ancelotti will also miss Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao who has asked to leave the club.