The Algerian newspaper “Al Shorouk” and social media accounts reported that Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian coach and technical supervisor of Spanish club Real Madrid, expressed dissatisfaction with the organization of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
What is the Full Story?
Misbar investigated the claim and found that the Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed concern over the hectic schedule the team will face in February, during a press conference on Wednesday, February 1st, ahead of the team's match against Valencia. Ancelotti did not mention Morocco or the FIFA Club World Cup specifically.
"This schedule is just crazy... La Liga wants one thing, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) wants another, FIFA wants something different, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has their own agenda," the Italian coach stated.
Ancelotti added: “We believe we need to stop at some point because if players get tired, then this is over. We love to play, but I think there’s a limit that the calendar is getting dangerously close to, and we have to do something to avoid that.”
The Italian coach explained: “We’re not throwing any competitions because we’re so close. We’re in the semifinals of the Club World Cup and fighting for the league and the Champions League.”
Real Madrid is faced with a packed schedule in February and March, with the possibility of playing up to nine games across four different competitions. The schedule includes five matches in La Liga, two in the FIFA Club World Cup, one in the Copa del Rey, and one in the Champions League.
Ancelotti commented on the five-point difference from the La Liga leading team: “We’re not at our best. I think we’ve failed at some things, and we can always do better. We’re playing at the same level as last year, but Barcelona is playing better. We’re confident that we’ll fight until the end."
FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco
The 2022 FIFA Club World Cup officially began on February 1st, with a grand opening ceremony and the first match between Egyptian club Al-Ahly and New Zealand's Auckland City at the Tangier Grand Stadium. The tournament will run until February 11.
Three Arab teams are participating in the competition: Wydad Casablanca, the reigning champion of the CAF Champions League, runner-up Al-Ahly, and the most recent Asian champion Al-Hilal.
Seattle Sounders will represent CONCACAF, Flamengo will represent South America, Auckland City will represent Oceania, and Real Madrid will participate as the reigning Champions League champion.
It is worth noting that this is the third time Morocco has hosted the FIFA Club World Cup.
Misbar’s Sources:
