Carlo Ancelotti (foto: Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti shared his tactical preference ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, revealing why he still trusts the 4-4-2 formation for control and flexibility.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti dropped a subtle tactical hint ahead of the much-anticipated Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, admitting his ongoing admiration for the traditional 4-4-2 system.
The Italian coach addressed the Spanish media after Madrid's late win over Athletic Bilbao, and while he remained tight-lipped about his specific plans for the El Clasico final, he made one thing clear: "My favorite system is 4-4-2, because it covers the defense the best."
"This doesn’t mean we always line up with four midfielders," Ancelotti added. "I often use players like Vinicius Junior or Rodrygo on the wing. Sometimes you can even have up to six midfielders, if two of them push higher. It all depends on the profiles available, especially in the lateral defensive positions."
Madrid’s recent inconsistency has left them trailing Barcelona in the La Liga title race. While the Catalans still compete on multiple fronts—already finalists in the cup and semi-finalists in the Champions League—Madrid are pinning their season hopes on lifting the Copa del Rey.
In the 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, Ancelotti opted for a tighter midfield setup. Luka Modrić and Dani Ceballos started together to strengthen central control, but it was a flexible setup, as Ancelotti explained: "I wanted more control in midfield, so I played Modrić and Ceballos. Then I brought on Endrick in place of Dani to push higher."
Madrid visit Getafe next before heading to Seville for the final. Whether Ancelotti sticks with his preferred 4-4-2 setup or tweaks things for El Clasico remains to be seen—but his blueprint for control is now public.