Davide Ancelotti: “Pellegrini deserves more recognition” ahead of Champions League opener

Lille OSC and Real Betis will meet in the opening match of the Champions League league phase. The biggest story before the game is not only about three points, but also about the meeting between two generations of coaches. Lille manager Davide Ancelotti has paid special tribute to his counterpart on the other side, Manuel Pellegrini. At his pre-match press conference, the Italian coach did not hide his admiration for the Chilean strategist. Davide believes Pellegrini is being underrated compared with what he has given to top-level football. He said: “Manuel Pellegrini doesn't always get the recognition he deserves, because he has had an incredible career and achieved huge success. Those of us who are just starting out have immense admiration for him. I don't know if I'll manage until his age. I tell myself it's impossible. But when I look at my father, who isn't slowing down either, maybe I'll change my mind.” This is the first Champions League match of Davide Ancelotti's career as head coach. He previously worked for many years as an assistant alongside his father, Carlo Ancelotti. Davide knows he cannot live forever in his father's shadow. He sees the game against Real Betis as a chance to establish his own name and write his own story. “The Champions League represents a new beginning for me in this role, with a different level of responsibility, though not completely unfamiliar territory. I try to pass on the experience I gained as an assistant coach to the club and the players. Now, I hope to write my own chapter in this competition under my own name,” Davide added. On the other side, Manuel Pellegrini is also moving into history. He previously coached Villarreal, Real Madrid and Málaga in the Champions League. Real Betis are now his fourth Spanish club in the competition. This is the first time in history a coach has taken charge of four different Spanish clubs in the Champions League. For Real Betis, this is also a special season as the Andalusian side return to the competition for the first time since the 2026-06 campaign. Davide Ancelotti is very cautious about the visitors. He sees Real Betis as an organised team, always difficult to face and strong defensively. According to Davide, apart from the match against Levante, Real Betis have not conceded many goals. That shows the tactical discipline and defensive spirit Pellegrini has built over many years. Lille, for their part, have an impressive record when facing Spanish sides in the Champions League. They have won all of their last three matches against Spanish opposition in the competition. Their biggest attacking weapon is veteran striker Olivier Giroud. The French forward is likely to make his first Champions League appearance for a club from his homeland. With vast experience from Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan, Giroud is expected to provide the calm finishing needed inside the box. Real Betis travel to Lille with great faith in Isco. The Spanish midfielder has spent many years competing at European level and possesses the composure needed for big matches. Isco is the player Pellegrini will trust to control the tempo and find space between Lille's lines. If Isco gets room to move, the home defence will face serious problems. This match is a battle between freshness and experience. Davide Ancelotti has the sharpness of a young coaching generation raised in modern football. Pellegrini has the wisdom, composure and game-reading ability sharpened over decades in management. Lille have home advantage, but Real Betis are not a side that can easily be dragged into the opponent's rhythm. On the contrary, they are the team that knows how to slow the game down at the right moment. Top-level football always moves at a ruthless tempo. The Champions League opener between Lille and Real Betis is not just a meeting between two clubs; it is also where two generations of coaches face their own milestones. Davide Ancelotti is stepping out of his comfort zone to chase the status of a real head coach. Pellegrini continues to prove that age is only a number as he keeps writing new pages of history. Whoever controls the tempo of the match will hold the biggest chance to start their European campaign with a positive result.