Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has lifted the veil on one of his most unusual training-ground strategies—asking world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to intentionally let his teammates score just to raise their spirits.
In a lighthearted but revealing reflection on squad psychology, Ancelotti explained that the move was never about undermining Courtois’ sharpness, but about building confidence among the attackers during tough spells.
“Sometimes in training, I used to tell Courtois to deliberately let the strikers score to boost their confidence,” the Italian tactician admitted, hinting at the delicate mental balance required in a team of superstars.
According to Ancelotti, attackers often go through droughts where even routine finishes feel like mountains. Allowing them to put the ball in the net—especially past a keeper of Courtois’ calibre—works wonders.
“It changes everything,” he added. “When a striker feels the net, even in training, you see the confidence return—the movement, the timing, the hunger.”
Insiders say Courtois, always a team-first professional, willingly played along, understanding the broader goal. For a squad chasing multiple trophies each season, such psychological fine-tuning is part of the Ancelotti formula that players often describe as “simple, calm, but genius.”
The revelation has sparked lively debate among fans, with many praising Ancelotti’s man-management mastery—an attribute that has defined his success across Europe’s biggest clubs. Others see it as proof of the unique trust between the manager and his players, a bond that has helped Madrid sustain one of the sport’s most consistent eras.
As the season continues, Ancelotti’s story serves as one more reminder: behind every glittering victory lies a thousand small decisions—some tactical, some emotional, and some, like this one, quietly brilliant.
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