Ancelotti Labels Atlético Madrid as La Liga's "Least Spanish" Team

G. E (Elbotola)

17 April 2026at16:15

Carlo Ancelotti, the current coach of the Brazilian national team, described Atlético Madrid as the "least Spanish" team in La Liga during an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

According to the coach, who has won five Champions League titles, this technical assessment stems from the transformations the Madrid club has undergone under the leadership of its Argentine coach, Diego Simeone, and the evolution of the team's collective style.

Speaking to the Italian newspaper, Carlo Ancelotti affirmed: "Atlético Madrid is the least Spanish team in La Liga," attributing this to Simeone's ability to adapt and elevate the squad's technical level.

The Brazil coach also highlighted the direct impact players like Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez have had in shaping a distinct technical identity that deviates from the traditional characteristics of Spanish football, as part of a broader discussion on the features of major European leagues.

In his analysis, Ancelotti also discussed the current technical quality of Spanish football, citing the emergence of young talents at Barcelona, notably Lamine Yamal, while also reviewing playing characteristics in Germany, England, Italy, and France. In this context, the coach drew attention to the abundance of goals witnessed in recent Champions League quarter-final matches, such as the encounter between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, and the clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. At the same time, he expressed his criticism of the decline in defensive solidity and intensity that previously characterized Italian football.

Q&A

What did Carlo Ancelotti say about Atlético Madrid's style of play?

Carlo Ancelotti described Atlético Madrid as the "least Spanish" team in La Liga during an interview. He attributed this to the club's transformations under Diego Simeone, which have evolved their collective style away from traditional Spanish football.

How does Diego Simeone's leadership influence Atlético Madrid's identity, according to Ancelotti?

According to Ancelotti, Diego Simeone's leadership has profoundly influenced Atlético Madrid's identity by adapting and elevating the squad's technical level. This has shaped a distinct technical identity that deviates from traditional Spanish football characteristics, making them unique in the league.

What broader observations did Ancelotti make about European football's technical quality?

Ancelotti observed a decline in defensive solidity in Italian football and noted an abundance of goals in recent Champions League quarter-finals. He also highlighted the emergence of young talents in Spanish football, particularly at Barcelona, as part of his wider analysis of European leagues.