Carlo Ancelotti has once again focused on FIFA and UEFA, this time for the incessant international soccer schedule. Speaking to the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, the Brazil head coach spoke very clearly there are simply too many matches and the constant overload harms the product on the pitch. Yes, we play too much and badly, soccer is more tactical, more physically demanding, quicker, but FIFA and UEFA have to consider the calendars. There are too many matches, they are not all of a high standard, and there are too many injuries." Coming from a man who has seen out decades of club campaigns and now captains one of the most criticized national sides in the world, the words carry weight.
The calendar debate
Earlier in 2024/25, when he was still in office at Real Madrid, Ancelotti had to deal with 68 games across six competitions: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Champions League and Intercontinental Cup. This kind of calendar is not specific to Madrid; it is what first-class soccer now is all over the place. For Ancelotti, this is the obvious issue. More games lower quality since not every match can be as great as supporters anticipate.
Discussing this in an interview, he suggested an idea to reduce the strain. "It's a good idea for me to shorten leagues from 20 to 18 clubs, it would avoid low-quality games, and costs would be more reasonable.". But an agreement between the parties must be made, and up until now hasn't." A clear cut offer on paper, but one that concerns the finances of clubs, federations and broadcasters, and is therefore anything other than easy.
He also pointed to how coaches and players are kept out of the talks. “We’re the highest paid, maybe that’s why they don’t want us at the table.” A sharp line, with irony in it, but also frustration. The people who run the game continue to decide how it’s played without ever asking the ones who live it.
The new challenge in Brazil
Ancelotti did not merely gripe. He also explained why he chose Brazil. To him, it was the right moment to "take a break" from Europe, and he asserted he's motivated by the challenge. He praised the talent of the team and respected the Seleção's past.
Meanwhile, he did not hesitate to analyze the situation in Italy. In his view, the country is facing what he called a “generational crisis.” “We’re well placed in defense and midfield, but for the rest we’re struggling to produce real talents.” For Ancelotti, Italy no longer has forwards like Vieri, Totti, Del Piero or Inzaghi, and that gap says a lot about how tough it’s been to develop stars capable of making the difference.