Height, trips and conditions extra sports: the excuses of Carlo Ancelotti's son after his elimination from the Libe
Davide Ancelotti blamed external factors after Botafogo’s fall to Liga de Quito
In one of the most resounding surprises of the Conmebol Libertadores, Liga de Quito made history again. The Ecuadorian club eliminated defending champion Botafogo in a series marked by intensity and physical demands. After losing 1-0 in the first leg, the Quito native turned the score around at home with a 2-0 victory that eliminated the Brazilian team and sparked criticism of coach Davide, son of Carlo Ancelotti.
Watch all the Leagues Cup matches with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The son of the Brazilian national team coach, who took over this season with the expectation of maintaining their winning streak, found himself at the center of criticism.
On social media, “Fogao” fans took aim at the coach’s strategy, who in a press conference did not hesitate to admit mistakes, but also attributed the defeat to Quito’s altitude and the wear and tear of traveling.
Criticism and self-criticism in the defeat
“They cross a lot, so we needed three defensive midfielders to block shots. It’s not the way Botafogo wants to play, but we had to adapt. It was the plan of play. The altitude influences this because the ball travels a lot and is faster. It's difficult to control it when there's a long pass...," Ancelotti declared after the match.
The coach, however, did not limit himself to pointing out the external conditions. He also assumed responsibility for the elimination: "After a defeat, I have to be self-critical. I take full responsibility. The players followed the game plan to the letter, now it's time to fulfill it. The pace here has to be slow because it's very physically demanding due to the altitude. Clearly, that's not how we like to play, but we had to adapt..."
The elimination represents an unexpected blow for Botafogo, who must now focus on the Brasileirao and the Copa Brasil, tournaments in which they still maintain aspirations. In contrast, Liga de Quito will face Sao Paulo in the quarterfinals,An opponent that will demand even more in the continental competition.
For Ancelotti, the defeat in Quito means much more than a setback. His start in charge was accompanied by good results, but as the weeks passed, the team's level declined. Now, with the Libertadores out of reach, the future of the sporting project is under scrutiny.