I’m not worried about Real Madrid sacking – Ancelotti

• Posted on September 15, 2014September 15, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Santiago Bernabeu coach stressed that victories are around the corner for the Blancos and he has his sights set on making history in the Champions League this season

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that he is not worried about his job at Real Madrid despite suffering back-to-back defeats in La Liga.

The Italian’s position at the Santiago Bernabeu has come under scrutiny in the past couple of weeks following consecutive defeats in La Liga – at Real Sociedad and, on Saturday, at home to title rivals Atletico Madrid.

However, Ancelotti stressed victories are around the corner for his own side and that there are no issues behind the scenes for Real Madrid.

“I have a great team and a great group of staff behind them,” the coach told Corriere dello Sport. “Aside from the bad results, there are no problems.

“I’m not worried about my job, no. Now we are under pressure but normality will resume soon.”

Real Madrid are aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles. Since the elite continental competition changed its format and name in the early 1990s, no team has succeeded in triumphing two years on the trot.

The Blancos – who won the first five editions of the European Cup – are looking for their 11th trophy after last season’s Decima triumph and Ancelotti believes that Chelsea and Bayern Munich, not Barcelona, are the reigning champions’ main rivals in 2014-15.

“The statistics suggest that we are not favourites as no team have won the Champions League twice in a row,” he added. “But we can repeat last year’s success, that would be great.

“The Decima was a dream for Madrid followers everywhere. The 11th would be the dream of all dreams.

“Chelsea are the team which have strengthened most this summer. They signed the phenomenon that is Diego Costa, then brought on board Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois. They’ve improved a lot.

“Bayern Munich, however, remain as good as they were last season.”

Real Madrid kick off their Champions League group stage campaign at home to Basel on Tuesday.

By Miles Chambers