Carlo Ancelotti has one hope going into the Champions League quarter-final, for Real Madrid to avoid his former club Milan. ‘I’d like us to meet in the Final in Istanbul.’

The Merengues are the tournament holders, having won it last season with Ancelotti at the helm, and swept Liverpool aside 1-0 on Wednesday, 6-2 on aggregate.

There are three Italian teams in the final eight – Milan, Inter and Napoli – and four Italian coaches, represented by Ancelotti, Stefano Pioli, Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti.

The other quarter-finalists are Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City and Benfica.

“To be honest, the ideal would be for us to meet Milan in the Final in Istanbul, but there is a long way to go,” Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia.

Ironically, Istanbul was also the host city when Ancelotti’s Milan lost to Liverpool on penalties after fumbling a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 in 2005.

“Napoli are doing very well, they are dominating Serie A and can therefore concentrate entirely on the Champions League. All the potential opponents in the quarter-final are dangerous, it will be a real battle.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sport Italia yesterday that Napoli are the best team in Europe, but much like Spalletti already stated, Ancelotti sees through the mind games.

“I wouldn’t put too much importance on that. Manchester City scored seven goals past RB Leipzig yesterday… It will be a battle at the quarter-finals, then if we reach the semi-finals it’ll be a battle there too.”

Tags: AC Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has thanked Napoli for an “unforgettable experience” managing the club, despite his dismissal last night.

Ancelotti was sacked after having steered the Partenopei to the last 16 of the Champions League following a tense couple of months at the San Paolo.

Many of Napoli’s players took to Instagram to post messages of gratitude to their former boss, and now Carletto has broken his own silence.

“I would like to personally thank the club, its employees, my players, my staff and the president for the opportunity to live an unforgettable experience in a wonderful city such as Naples,” he tweeted.

Players have been sending their messages of farewell on social media.

Defender Kostas Manolas posted a picture on his Instagram account:

“Thank you from the heart coach for all that you have done for me and for Napoli. It was an honour to have had you as my coach. Good luck to you and all your staff and I wish you all the best, because you deserve it!”

Midfielder Allan, who played a pivotal role in the player mutiny that led to the problems within the club, also posted a good luck message.

“You are a special person, much more than a manager. I thank you for everything that you have done in almost two years together. I wish good luck to you and your staff.”

Captain Lorenzo Insigne famously clashed with Ancelotti several times, but wrote this on Instagram, report Football Italia.

“Thank you mister, it was an honour to have worked with you and your staff. In these due years I have known a special person. I wish you all the best!”

Arkadiusz Milik, who bagged a hat-trick in Ancelotti’s final game, posted this on Instgram.

“Thanks mister for the support that you have given me and you have made me improve as a player and as a man. I wish you all the best.”

Right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo also took to Instagram to show his appreciation for Ancelotti.

“You gave me confidence, you helped me to improve, you gave me my debut in the Champions League and you helped me to arrive in the national team. Thanks for everything mister.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @sscnapoli.it

Tags: Carlo Ancelotti, Napoli

There are reports in Italy that Napoli will appoint former Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso as early as this week.

CalcioNapoli24 reporter Ciro Venerato claims Gattuso “will be the new Napoli coach from Wednesday”, replacing the beleaguered Carlo Ancelotti.

Venerato explains how super-agent Jorge Mendes has been working as an intermediary to negotiate a deal between the coach and club President Aurelio De Laurentiis, report Football Italia.

Tuttosport claim that Gattuso is scheduled to meet with the Partenopei President in the Italian capital today.

Napoli are seventh after 15 games, on 21 points, and Ancelotti is currently overseeing a run of nine games without a win.

Gattuso lost his job after steering Milan to fifth place in Serie A last season and the newspaper also claims that the former Rossonero could also get an offer from Fiorentina and Chinese Guagnzhou Evergrande.

As it stands, the 41-year-old looks like taking over the reins regardless of what happens against Genk tomorrow.

Napoli need to beat the Belgian side to be sure of their place in the Champions League last 16 and a multi-million Euro windfall.

Tags: Aurelio De Laurentiis, Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso, Napoli