Unfortunately, Real Madrid will be travelling to Stamford Bridge without their manager, Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian had tested positive for Covid-19 just last week. His latest test results show that he is still positive and could miss the match against Chelsea. He will be taking another test tomorrow to see if he could still fly down out to London in time to meet up with his squad. We wish him a speedy recovery!
With that being said, is this advantage for Chelsea? The most notable change in Real Madrid's team from last season is their new manager. Carlo Ancelotti is the upgrade that the Madridistas have been waiting for all this time. Ancelotti's second spell in the Spanish capital comes with a task. And that is to win the Champions League again. There's no doubt the Italian will be set on replicating his 2013/14 success with the Madrista's but how effective will he be from home?
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Many fans know what it's like to not have their manager on the touchline due to them contracting COVID-19. It's far from an ideal scenario. Their presence is missed on the touchline, especially those as animated as Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues managed okay earlier this year when Tuchel was out with sickness. In his absence, Chelsea faced Plymouth in the FA cup and Al Hilal in the Club World Cup. Both games were quite underwhelming for the Blues, and they missed the loud figure shouting and calling the shots from the touchline.
Ancelotti's style is slightly different from that of Tuchel or Jurgen Klopp. He is more chilled, a silent thinker, and makes quick smart decisions. He reads the game from the touchline like it's a game of chess. I don't understand how cool and collected he is as a manager. Knowing him well from his Chelsea days, he makes his moves in silence. He can make changes that can influence any game where he is on the back burner from the touchline. His game-changing decisions impacted Real Madrid's round of 16 clashes against PSG.
The introduction of Camavinga and Rodrygo had a punishing effect on Mauricio Pochettino's team, and they subsequently lost the midfield battle and the tie.
Being in the stadium and watching from home are two different experiences. As a regular match-goer, I can tell you for free that the cameraman doesn't capture everything happening on the pitch. That's why managers go to these games instead of working from home in this climate. Not just so their presence can be felt, but they can have a full scope of what's happening and assess any situation. Ancelotti watching from a TV screen will be a setback for the Italian. His presence may not be entirely missed, but his keen eye will be.
I do wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he is getting back to normal. Dealing with COVID-19 is not easy for any human being. However, it's an advantage for Chelsea as it stands right now. Tuchel will have the vision that Ancelotti will lack, and I am intrigued to see how the boss uses this to his advantage.
