Considering how successful Carlo Ancelotti's term as Real Madrid coach has been, there's always room for improvement, and that task against Atletico is surely one he will like to take on. "Carletto" has been coaching Los Blancos for 22 months now, and their UEFA Champions League opponents have proven to be the Italian's "Black Beast" while leading Los Merengues. The upcoming matchup against Diego Simeone's men may be the turning point for Real Madrid this season, since a victory against their neighbours could fortify Ancelotti's project with Los Blancos, while another loss may be decisive for the coach's future.
Ancelotti vs Atletico in La Liga: Pride lost after a 4-0 defeat
This is where Ancelotti lost all balance with Los Blancos. During his first season as Real Madrid's coach, Ancelotti lost the first derby at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in 14 years, while managing to equalize 2-2 in their second meeting of the season. During the current Liga tournament, Los Blancos lost both derbies, giving away a 2-1 victory for Los Colchoneros in front of their Bernabeu loyals, while having their reputation destroyed with a 4-0 loss at Vicente Calderon, representing the highest goal difference conceded by Real Madrid under Ancelotti.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks confused after conceding the third goal against Los Colchoneros on February 7th.
Copa del Rey: One matchup for each team in back-to-back seasons
Real Madrid's 2013-2014 campaign against Atletico wasn't all that bad, considering they ousted Los Colchoneros by winning both games of their Copa del Rey semi-final matchup. The first one ended 3-0 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, and Los Blancos completed their two-game sweep with a comfortable 2-0. Ancelotti's crew would end up winning the competition.
Nevertheless, Atletico's revenge would come pretty soon. During the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Atletico took the first leg 2-0, making Real Madrid's efforts useless at Santiago Bernabeu, where Fernando Torres scored twice during the first seconds of each half to keep Simeone's men alive. However, their Copa del Rey campaign ended in the next round, being eliminated by Barcelona.
Torres scored past Keylor Navas during the second leg of their 2014-2015 Copa del Rey matchup.
Other competitions: Ancelotti's biggest glory with Los Blancos
Perhaps Carletto's shining moment with Real Madrid goes back to May 24th,2014, when his side overcame a flagrant mistake by Iker Casillas to win their tenth Champions League trophy. Diego Godin's header was cancelled in the dying seconds of the game by Sergio Ramos, giving Los Merengues a much-needed ego boost to defeat their neighbors. Things did not change until the second half of the extra time, when Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo managed to score the game-winning goals.
After that historic matchup, both sides would meet again in the Spanish Super Cup, where once again Simeone's men prevailed. The first leg ended with a 1-1 draw, and Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal ofthe second leg to grant Atletico a little payback for what happened in Lisbon three months earlier.
Sergio Ramos heads the ball into the back of the net to tie the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League Final
Ancelotti's stats against Atletico
Real Madrid has scored fifteen goals against Atletico during Ancelotti's 22 month term as coach, conceding 16 times. While their record against Atletico shows Los Blancos have only netted the ball three times in La Liga matches against Simeone's men, the Copa del Rey balances the score sheet for Carlo's crew, scoring seven times in four matches. On the other hand, Atletico has established their dominance in La Liga's matches, scoring nine times in four games. Here's Ancelotti's balance considering every competition against Atletico
With their Champions League series starting tomorrow, it seems like Ancelotti can prove his haters he can defeat Simeone and his crew one more time, even after a complicated season which has seen no Real Madrid victories against their neighbors (two draws and four losses).
Will Simeone manage Atletico to their first unbeaten season against Los Blancos in over 15 years?
