TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is counting on his wealth of experiences to help fix the holders' midfield misery as they prepare to host FC Basel in Wednesday morning Champions League Group B opener at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Real's poor start to their La Liga campaign continued on Saturday when they were beaten 2-1 at their home by defending champions Atletico Madrid, while the departure of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria in the close season appears to have disturbed the balance of the team that won their 10th continental crown last season.
Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, both are new signings, have yet to reproduce the form that made them two of the top performers at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but Ancelotti seems confident that he can find a quick and accurate solution.
The Italian coach, a former midfielder, ended Madrid's 12-year wait for their 10th Champions League title in his debut season, plans to draw on tactical knowledge learned during coaching stints in Italy, England and France to help the world's wealthiest club by income overcome their early-season problems.
Ancelotti is one of six people to win the Champions League title club competition as player and coach, and the second coach after Liverpool’s great Bob Paisley to win three times.
"I have a lot of experience in this," Ancelotti told a news conference when asked about Madrid's midfield difficulties after a second straight La Liga defeat.
"I am looking for balance with quality players, it's what makes the difference," he added.
"There are times in football when things don't go well and we have to react quickly because we have another game on Tuesday.
Ancelotti admits that he is slightly concerned because the start of the season has not been good such as last year.
"Luckily it's only the beginning. I am convinced that working together we will fix it, with the necessary calm and self-criticism," he said.
Some of the impatient fans made their displeasure clearly during and after Saturday's game, whistling to captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas and calling for president Florentino Perez to step down.
Perez, the main architect of Madrid's policy of buying top players who can boost the club's marketing income, has been widely blamed for the departure of Alonso and Di Maria, while Ancelotti has seemed unpleasant with the decision to let them leave for Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
It remains to be seen whether Casillas will obtain his starting place in the Champions League or whether Ancelotti will choose to sign Keylor Navas, who starred for Costa Rica at the World Cup.
ANTARA | GILANG GALIARTA