Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his ideal XI, plus substitutes, from players he has previously worked with in the game.
The Italian has coached a number of the game’s biggest names in recent years, having worked at the likes of Juventus, Milan, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Talking to The Times, the 54-year-old was asked to pick his best XI from those he has trained, but excluding players he is currently working with at Real Madrid, so there is no place for the likes of Xabi Alonso or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“There has been Casillas, Cech, Van der Sar and Dida. I have elected Buffon, but only because he was my first goalkeeper at Parma,” explained Ancelotti of the last line of defence in what would likely be a 4-3-1-2 formation.
“The defenders, I would like Cafu and Maldini as the full-backs. In the middile I have had Costacurta, Nesta, Cannavaro, Thuram and Stam, but I would pick Terry and Thiago Silva.
“My first midfielder was Pirlo. From there it is really hard. Zidane I would place on the left and then also Frank Lampard.
“And in the attack I would definitely choose Ibrahimovic. There is also Ronaldinho, but I would go with Kaka and Sheva.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s ideal XI (excluding Real Madrid players): Buffon; Cafu, Terry, Thiago Silva, Maldini; Lampard, Pirlo, Zidane; Shevchenko, Ibrahimovic, Kaka
The bench: Cech, Cole, Nesta, Gattuso, Seedorf, Drogba, Inzaghi
