Fabio Capello has backed compatriot Carlo Ancelotti to succeed at Real Madrid, but advised him to pick more clearly between his goalkeepers.
Ancelotti is enduring a difficult start to his reign at the Santiago Bernabeu, as the first Italian Coach at the club since Capello’s own second stint in 2006-07.
“The players are getting used to understanding his system, Carlo needs time,” Capello reflected this week on El Primer Toque.
“However, I am certain that Real Madrid are the favourites for the Champions League. No team has players like that.”
Ancelotti has notably kept faith with Diego Lopez between the sticks for La Liga, with Iker Casillas handed starts in the Champions League.
“They have two great goalkeepers. I know them very well because they worked with me in 2007. Both are very good, but I also had difficulty in choosing one of the two.
“I went with Iker and he proved to be excellent. I’m happy also because Diego Lopez is now showing he is at an extraordinary level.
“It’s hard to understand that one can play in the League and the other in the Champions League. I think it is harmful.
“You can’t change the goalkeeper like you would swap a midfielder. The goalkeeper is a really delicate role.
“Diego Lopez and Casillas are two great ‘keepers, but a decision needs to be made.”
Capello reflected on the sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal and the capture of Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.
“I do not know what happened there [with Ozil], I believe he has been a very important player for Madrid. A high level player.
“Getting rid of Ozil was an error, while Bale is a great player. Saying that, the latter needs to be in great shape and understand the football of Ancelotti to do well.”
