The World Cup winning defender moved from Madrid to Old Trafford over the summer, and has spoken about the environment at his former club
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Carlo Ancelotti leaves Everton for Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to comments made by Raphael Varane about the atmosphere at the club following the defender’s move to Manchester United.
Varane made a summer switch to Old Trafford, ending his decade-long association with Los Blancos, and has seen his start to life in England disrupted by a run of injuries.
The 28-year-old suggested it was impossible to celebrate his Champions League victories with the Spanish side, saying “I just want to say sometimes you have to enjoy what you have.”
Ancelotti was in charge for the first of Varane’s European titles back in 2014, returning to the Bernabeu for a second spell this year, and it isn’t the first time the defender has spoken about life under the Italian.
This time, though, the Real Madrid manager has responded.
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“[Ancelotti] made his choices, and I can understand them”, Varane said in 2017.
“I didn’t play as much as I would have wanted, but it pushed me to ask questions of myself and progress.”
The former Lorient defender went on to win further Champions League titles under compatriot Zinedine Zidane, starting the 2017 and 2018 finals as Juventus and Liverpool were beaten.
Ancelotti was in the dugout when Madrid clinched La Decima – their 10th Champions League title, and first in more than a decade – with a young Varane in central defence.
A lot has changed since then, though, with the Frenchman’s defensive partner Sergio Ramos also leaving the club over the summer.
“We celebrated La Decima, but we had to move on,” Ancelotti said ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Inter Milan, as reported by AS.
“This is what this club and these fans are asking for.”
Real Madrid can clinch top spot in their group with a point against the Italian champions, but the former Everton boss claimed he “cannot say if we are favourites [to win the tournament].”
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Since Varane left over the summer, Real Madrid have gone top of La Liga as they attempt to regain the title they lost by two points to neighbours Atletico last season.
Varane, meanwhile, has played just nine games for Manchester United since his move, picking up a groin injury in October and managing just two appearances on his return before suffering another setback.
If Ancelotti’s side are beaten by Inter during the week, they could end up facing their former player in the last 16 after Varane’s United confirmed themselves as group winners in November.
The teams haven’t met since the 2017 Super Cup, when Varane’s Real Madrid emerged victorious shortly after their victory over Juventus in the Champions League final.
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