“I’m just a coach, not a legend.” “Legends are the players,” Carlo Ancelotti told European media before Real Madrid’s midweek encounter against Union Berlin.

Ancelotti has always been a modest guy, but statistics back up his legendary standing on the bench.

Ancelotti became the Real Madrid coach with the most wins in Champions League/C1 Cup history after defeating Union Berlin 3-2, with Bayern Munich winning the group stage.

The Italian coach led Real Madrid to 42 wins out of 56 matches in the most renowned arena of European football at the club level (5 draws, 9 losses), accounting for 75% of the total.

Real Madrid’s previous record was held by renowned coach Miguel Munoz, who won 41 of 71 matches in charge, accounting for 57.74% of the time.

Vicente del Bosque is ranked third (34 victories in 60 matches; 56.67%). Zinedine Zidane comes in second with 31 victories after 53 games (58.49%) while Jose Mourinho comes in third with 24 wins after 36 games (66.66%).

Except for Mourinho, who had three straight semi-final appearances, all four Real Madrid managers have won at least one title.

Ancelotti also holds the record for the most Champions League wins in a single season, with 113 victories.

Alex Ferguson (107) and Pep Guardiola (107) are the only other managers who have won 100 games.

Ancelotti is also the only coach among the five finalists to have won the Champions League four times, with Milan and Real Madrid.

Real Madrid began the season with several injuries. Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, two indisputable experts, are among the most serious.

Ancelotti nonetheless filled the hole by generating perfect pieces in the setting of 12 players moving through the medical room one after the other.

The season was turned around by Ancelotti’s 4-4-2 formation, which included a diamond midfield (perhaps 4-3-1-2).

This strategy promotes the abilities of youngster Jude Bellingham, one of the most versatile players today, while also bringing balance.

When French midfielders Tchouameni and Camavinga were injured, Ancelotti changed the formation to have Kroos and Fede Valverde dominating the middle.

Ancelotti’s contract with the club expires after the season. While the Brazilian Football Federation has made many suggestions, Real Madrid players are encouraging president Florentino Perez to extend his contract with the 64-year-old tactician from Reggiolo, a lovely countryside in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, as soon as possible.