Amid a season marked by a big number of injuries at Real Madrid, one topic has captured attention. There is a cold war between Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Pintus, the fitness coach. The two team leaders are pointing fingers at each other as the culprits behind the tremendous plague of muscle injuries that has affected the team. The latest victim in this series was Kylian Mbappé, who suffered an injury in Bergamo, sparking more uncertainty about Madrid's situation.
The Ancelotti Vs. Pintus Conflict
Since the start of the season, the numerous muscle injuries at Real Madrid have sparked a confrontation between Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, and Pintus. Ancelotti accuses Pintus of not keeping the team in top physical condition. He's pointed out that his planning hasn't been adequate, especially with such a packed schedule.
On his side, Pintus replies by criticizing Ancelotti's management of playing time. He believes the coach doesn't rotate players properly and that the distribution of minutes is increasing the risk of injuries. The fitness coach argues that Ancelotti ignores warnings about the players' physical condition, which could have prevented some injuries.
Ancelotti's Unfulfillled Promises
One of the clearest points of friction between the two is Ancelotti's promise to grant individual vacations to players, especially those traveling with their national teams. Ancelotti promised rest to fatigued players mid-season, but he hasn't delivered.
This unfulfillled promise has caused more tension within the team, as injuries continue to pile up and the team remains strained. The lack of adequate rest adds to the pressure of a packed schedule, further highlighting the differences between Ancelotti and Pintus.
Ancelotti's Future in Doubt
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's future heading Real Madrid is at stake. Despite having a contract until 2026, his stay at the club largely depends on the results achieved this season. If the team continues to suffer injuries and fails to compete at the highest level, Ancelotti's tenure could end much sooner than expected.
The situation is tense and, although Real Madrid is not openly taking a stance, it's closely monitoring the developments. Both Ancelotti and Pintus are key, but injuries are the main obstacle to the aspirations of the club.