Arrigo Sacchi has backed Carlo Ancelotti to turn things around at Real Madrid after their disappointing performances in recent weeks.
Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao last weekend to surrender top spot in La Liga to Barcelona before Schalke proved to be too strong in Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, leading to suggestions Ancelotti’s job is in danger.
President Florentino Perez consequently issued a vote of confidence on Thursday and Sacchi has little doubt his compatriot will get Madrid back on track.
“If anyone can turn this around, it’s Carlo. He’s been through complicated moments like this before,” Sacchi told Onda Cero.
Madrid enjoyed a stunning run of consecutive victories prior to the winter break and Sacchi believes they must recapture their team spirit if they are to return to similar form.
“Madrid seem to have lost the team spirit they had before and they are not defending very well,” he said.
“The biggest problem they have at this moment is trying to re-motivate the players and recover their physical form.
“Sometimes, patience is what is required. In December, everybody was raving about Ancelotti, the team simply need to play more as a team and not every one for themselves.”
Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways on Sunday when they host Levante.