Carlo Ancelotti’s expertise in football management is unquestionable, particularly during his tenure at Real Madrid. His ability to navigate through challenges and emerge victorious has become a hallmark of his career.
As he prepares to lead Real Madrid against Mallorca in the opening game of the new La Liga season, there is little doubt that he will once again demonstrate his tactical brilliance.
This match at Son Moix marks the beginning of Ancelotti’s 28th season as a manager, with this being his sixth in charge of Real Madrid.
Ancelotti’s opening day record with Real Madrid
Real Madrid are a club steeped in tradition and high expectations, and Ancelotti has consistently proven that he understands the club’s philosophy better than anyone else.
Every time he has started a La Liga campaign with Real Madrid, he has done so with the intent to win. In fact, in each of the five times he has taken charge of Real Madrid’s opening match in La Liga, the team has come away with three points.
Looking back at his first season with Real Madrid in 2013-14, Ancelotti led the team to a 2-1 victory over Real Betis in their opening match. The following season, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win against Cordoba under his guidance.
After returning to the club in the 2021-22 season, Ancelotti continued this trend with a commanding 4-1 victory against Alaves. This was followed by a 2-1 win over Almeria in the 2022-23 season and a 2-0 victory against Athletic Club in the 2023-24 season.
Ancelotti’s overall record in opening-day matches is impressive, with a win percentage of 77%. Out of the 27 opening-day matches he has managed across various clubs, he has only experienced defeat five times, with one draw. Notably, three of those five defeats occurred during his time at AC Milan.
As Ancelotti embarks on yet another season with Real Madrid, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if he can continue his tradition of starting strong. Given his track record, there is every reason to believe that he will once again guide Los Blancos to a victorious start in La Liga.