Real Madrid star reveals darker side of Carlo Ancelotti

Thibaut Courtois revealed that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has lost his signature cool on multiple occasions this season.

Madrid remain in the race for La Liga and are in a strong position ahead of the second leg of their Champions League play-off with Manchester City this week. However, the reigning Spanish and European champions have endured considerably more struggles this term compared to last season.

This relative dip has forced Ancelotti to cut an uncharacteristically frustrated figure on the touchline - and that mood has carried over into Madrid's dressing room.

"I had [coaches] like [Antonio] Conte that would shout like crazy," Courtois told Rio Ferdinand's podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, this week. "It's personalities, you know. I think [Zinedine] Zidane was more calm... Carlo is also calmer, unless something really happens, like this year a few times.

"But I like that, because I like the balance between being calm and on the right moment, you get mad, because then your words have impact."

Ancelotti notably tore into his players at half-time of the recent Madrid derby while Real were trailing 1-0. Specifically addressing his star-studded frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo - who had failed to take a single shot on target - Ancelotti reportedly told them: "Either we do what we have prepared or there will be immediate changes," as quoted by Marca.

Courtois' involvement will have a big impact on Madrid's fortunes and any more tantrums from Ancelotti. The Belgian shot-stopper missed the 4-0 thrashing dished out by Barcelona in October and was injured for the club's Champions League defeats to Lille and AC Milan in the league phase.

Not only will Ancelotti have Courtois between the posts for Wednesday's European tie with City, but he's expected to welcome back the injured trio of David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez.

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