Madrid needed Ancelotti after 'hurricane' Mourinho – Morata

The striker praised the Portuguese’s ferocity during his time at the Bernabeu but admitted that he was grateful for the arrival of his “kinder” successor

Alvaro Morata has described Jose Mourinho as a “hurricane” during his time at Real Madrid and thinks that Carlo Ancelotti’s lighter touch was just what they needed.

Mourinho spent three years at the Santiago Bernabeu before leaving for Chelsea in 2013, having been dogged by reports of discontent in the dressing room throughout his final season in the Spanish capital.

Ancelotti took over the reins at Madrid and have since gone on to win the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup in 2014.

Morata, who left Madrid last summer for Juventus, spoke favourably about both coaches and says Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri is a blend of Mourinho and Ancelotti.

“From Mourinho I learned ferocity. For him there was nothing that matters but victory,” the striker told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It doesn’t matter how, you just need to get the result – that is his obsession.

“Ancelotti is relaxed, but very focused on preparing for the game. He was kinder, but that doesn’t mean he was any less able to fire up the team. Let’s just say we needed him at Madrid after the Mourinho hurricane.

“Allegri is a bit Mourinho and a bit Ancelotti. He’s very calm when needed, but at times you’ve never seen someone angrier. You can sense it on the pitch, that he’s fighting along with the team from the touchline.”

Morata also dismissed reports of tensions between him and Juve strike partner Fernando Llorente, who reports suggest might be dropped for his fellow Spaniard for Saturday’s game with AC Milan.

“I have always admired Fernando and consider him a real friend,” he added. “If I am lucky with injuries, then from now on you can see the real Morata.

“I’ve always got better as the season went on and will also improve my goals tally. I could’ve netted a lot more by now.

“I am truly in love with Juve and want to spend much of my career in the Bianconeri jersey. I also cannot forget Juve were the first to make concrete attempts to sign me.

“I wasn’t very happy at Madrid, as I didn’t have much room, but Juve immediately treated me like an important player.

“Juve’s strength is that we are a united group off the field as well as on it. It feels like a family with the more experienced players ready to give advice and encouragement.”

Allegri’s side, who lead Serie A by seven points, host eighth-placed Milan at 20:45CET on Saturday.

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