Ancelotti's Unexpected Mention of Xabi Alonso in Press Conference: 'The Photo...'

Carlo Ancelotti has appeared before the media ahead of the match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. The white club has the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals ahead as the last match before the final at La Cartuja. The slight advantage, thanks to Endrick's goal at the Reale Arena, is a significant development for this clash to be played at Santiago Bernabéu.

But the press conference not only addressed various topics related to current merengue affairs and that important Copa del Rey match. Because the latest public appearance of the Reggiolo coach has sparked dozens of comments: after all, he was focused on the Madrid classic played by Juvenil A last Sunday.

In addition to Jesús Fortea, whose great aspiration is to reach the first team as soon as possible, Enzo Alves was also highlighted. It was Marcelo's son, in fact, who provided an excellent backheel assist for Liberto Navascues to score the winning goal against the Juvenil colchonero. The question from TNT Sports Brasil prompted the spontaneous mention of a name that is not lost sight of for the future of the entity presided over by Florentino Pérez.

Carlo Ancelotti, speaking of Enzo Alves, points out that "he made the difference" in that Madrid classic between Juveniles. But he states that "I don't know him well" both personally and in terms of soccer, given the enormous difference in competitive cycles between the forward and the coach.

Unexpected Appearance

In this context, the only memory Carlo Ancelotti has of Enzo Alves, Marcelo's son, dates back to the 13/14 season, his first campaign as a merengue coach. "I have very good memories of him in the 2014 final, when I took a photo with Marcelo's son and Xabi Alonso's son", reveals the transalpine coach.

The reappearance of Xabi Alonso is no coincidence. While it is true that the offspring of the former defensive midfielder was present at the celebrations of La Décima, the name of the now Bayer Leverkusen coach is very current. After all, he would be the main choice by the merengue bosses to replace the Italian strategist at the end of his tenure on the local bench at Santiago Bernabéu.

In this context, the debate around the succession of Carlo Ancelotti by Xabi Alonso is far from being definitively concluded. The spontaneous mention of the former merengue player by the Reggiolo coach, the current coach, provides another piece of information that will lead to dozens of rumors about this change in position. For now, Carlo Ancelotti enjoys the full confidence and support of the board led by Florentino Pérez.

Both the Italian strategist himself and Real Madrid put an end to the saga of his possible departure, toward the position of Brazil's national team coach. Neither party reveals having received contacts from a CBF that still perceives him as a favorite and would have taken the first step by dismissing Dorival Júnior. Despite everything, the 'favorite' to occupy that position right now is Jorge Jesús, coach of Saudi Al-Hilal.