Davide Ancelotti praises Pellegrini before Lille’s Champions League opener
Davide Ancelotti has saluted Manuel Pellegrini’s career ahead of Lille’s Champions League league-phase opener against Real Betis on Tuesday, calling the Chilean an inspiration for coaches beginning their own paths in management.
A landmark Champions League night
- Ancelotti will take charge of his first match as a head coach in Europe’s leading club competition, having previously worked alongside his father Carlo as an assistant.
- He said the tournament marks a fresh stage in his career, bringing greater responsibility while allowing him to use the experience gained in his former role.
- The Lille boss said he wants to build his own record in the Champions League rather than remain defined by his father’s considerable achievements.
- Pellegrini will make history by becoming the first coach to manage four separate Spanish clubs in the competition.
- Betis are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2005-06.
Ancelotti praises Pellegrini
Ancelotti believes Pellegrini has not received sufficient credit for the length and quality of his career. He said younger managers have enormous respect for the 72-year-old and admitted he cannot currently imagine coaching into his seventies.
“He has had an extraordinary career and achieved so much, yet he does not always get the recognition he merits,” Ancelotti said. “For those of us starting out, he is someone we greatly admire. I do not know whether I will still be coaching at his age. It feels impossible, although my father is not slowing down either, so perhaps I will think differently later.”
What happens next
Lille will attempt to continue a strong record against Spanish opponents, having won their previous three Champions League meetings with clubs from La Liga.
Veteran forward Olivier Giroud could make his first Champions League appearance for a French club, while Betis will look to Isco’s experience on the European stage.
Ancelotti expects a stern test from the visitors, highlighting Betis’ defensive structure. He noted that, apart from their match against Levante, Pellegrini’s side have conceded few goals.
“They are well organised and always difficult to play against,” Ancelotti said. “They have strong defensive organisation.”
