Real Madrid’s Intercontinental Cup triumph marked a remarkable milestone for Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday as the Italian became the manager with the most titles in the club’s history with a total of 15 trophies.

After his side breezed past Pachuca 3-0 in a largely one-sided contest at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Ancelotti surpassed the late Miguel Munoz, whom he equalled in August by winning the European Super Cup against Atalanta.

“There are so many of them [titles]! I’m delighted, really happy, it’s a success story,” said a smiling Ancelotti.

“Today [Wednesday] I liked the attitude from the players. Up front, they made the difference, Vinicius Jr had a great game. Offensively we did well.

“We have a lot of quality. Kylian [Mbappe] had a good game, Rodrygo scored the second. We are happy because we won a title far from home and in the middle of a busy season.”

The 65-year-old Ancelotti has one of the most decorated CVs in world football.

When he was lured back to Madrid for a second spell three years ago, after the departure of club great Zinedine Zidane, he knew his only mission was to increase Real’s trophy haul and he has not disappointed.

He became the first manager to capture titles in each of Europe’s top five leagues — England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France — and has guided Real Madrid to two Champions League and LaLiga doubles in three seasons.

Ancelotti’s Real Madrid silverware shows three Champions League titles, two Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, two Spanish League titles, two Spanish Cups, two Spanish Super Cups and, now, one Intercontinental Cup title.

Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Gunners made a disastrous start in north London, as Jakub Kiwior failed to deal with a long ball forward and Jean-Philippe Mateta charged through on goal to finish past David Raya in the opening minutes.

Palace still held the lead at half-time, forcing Mikel Arteta into changes as Martin Odegaard and William Saliba were introduced, but it was Jesus who took centre stage.

It had been more than a year since his last goal at the Emirates Stadium but he managed three in 27 minutes here to send Arsenal into the last-four.

Odegaard played Jesus in on goal for the first, with the Brazilian producing a wonderful dinked finish over Dean Henderson, before he relied on pure power to beat the goalkeeper for a second time when picked out by Bukayo Saka, another second-half substitute.

That put Arsenal in front and the result appeared to be sealed with just under ten minutes remaining. Jesus was completely free on the halfway line, Odegaard picked him out and he had the Palace half to himself as he strolled through and again found the bottom corner to secure the match ball.

But Palace were given late hope when Eddie Nketiah headed in against his former club, setting up a grandstand finish as Palace pushed to send the tie to a penalty shootout.

The Gunners held firm, though, to book their place in the last-four, with the draw to take place on Thursday night.

Seven-time Europa League winners, Sevilla FC, are reportedly planning to offload Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho during the January 2024-25 transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian international joined Sevilla last summer following the expiration of his contract at Leicester City, marking the end of a seven-year stint with the Foxes.

However, Iheanacho has endured a disappointing start to life in Spain, failing to score in all nine of his La Liga appearances for the one-time Spanish champions.

According to a report from Football Espana, Sevilla’s Sporting Director, Victor Orta, is actively seeking a new striker, and Iheanacho could be sold to facilitate the club’s attacking overhaul.

Iheanacho’s Struggles in Five Months
After finishing 14th in La Liga during the 2023-24 season, Sevilla brought in Iheanacho with hopes that he would contribute significantly to the team’s success.

So far, the Nigerian forward has underperformed, failing to score in the league and registering only three goals in the Copa del Rey.

This lack of output has left Sevilla struggling offensively, with the team managing just 18 goals in total this season. Neither Iheanacho nor Isaac Romero—who has scored only once—have been able to provide the goals Sevilla desperately need.
Pimienta Backs Iheanacho
Despite his struggles, Sevilla head coach Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta offered his backing to Iheanacho ahead of a match against Real Valladolid in September.

“Everyone, whoever plays up front tomorrow, has to do well. Kelechi is a proven player. The other day he had a difficult game because he came on without warming up,” Pimienta said via the club’s official website. “Just like the rest, he has to take a step forward because he has the quality to do it at Sevilla.”

Although Iheanacho played 62 minutes in that match without a goal or assist, his Nigerian compatriot Chidera Ejuke stepped up with a late winner.

Afterward, Pimienta continued to defend Iheanacho, attributing his lack of form to a difficult adjustment period caused by his absence during preseason.
“The boy is training very well. I know it seems like an excuse, but he didn’t do the pre-season with the team,” Pimienta said on La Jugada de Canal Sur Radio, as cited by Estadio Deportivo.

“The team already had our concepts; we had been training together for almost two months. It was hard for him to adapt. He has a player in front of him, Isaac, who is clear about it, who gives us a lot of things and is doing very well.”

West Bromwich Offers Iheanacho a Lifeline
Recent reports suggest Iheanacho could be set for a return to England, with EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion showing interest in signing the Nigerian striker.

However, West Brom would likely need to sell their current star forward—fellow Nigerian Josh Maja—to fund the move. If the transfer materialises, Iheanacho could reunite with his Super Eagles teammate, Semi Ajayi, at the Midlands club.

While moving from La Liga to England’s second division might not be ideal for Iheanacho, it could serve as an opportunity for him to rebuild his confidence and form.

Before his move to Sevilla, Iheanacho was linked with several top Turkish clubs. A loan move during the January transfer window could be a fresh start and a step in the right direction for the struggling forward.