"Ancelotti's words? It' was just a work-related problem"

Carlo Ancelotti and Gennaro Gattuso face each other on Wednesday for the third time in their coaching careers, an extended one for the former and a shorter one for the latter, who professed admiration for a "footballing father" whom he has not yet been able to beat and whose relationship is currently far from good.
"We had some very nice moments that I will remember forever. After that, the relationship has not always been good. We have had personal problems that I don't want to talk about," said Ancelotti at the press conference ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final between his Real Madrid side and Valencia.
Gatusso, minutes later, pointed out: "When he stopped coaching Napoli, I started to work and at that time the press and television were talking about the team and we had a problem because of this, but, for my part, I have a lot of respect for him and I think that at this moment I have nothing to talk about. It's only a work-related problem, it's nothing personal. We have won a lot together. We are talking about the best coach in the world in 2022 and in human and football terms I have a lot of respect for him".
From words of mutual respect and admiration to cordiality, after their first two Serie A clashes.
Ancelotti was in charge of Napoli and Gattuso of Milan in the 2018-19 season in two meetings that ended in a 3-2 win for the current Real Madrid boss and a goalless draw in the second leg.
"Carlo and I have a great relationship. He was more than a coach for me, I would call him in my most difficult moments. I can only learn from him," Gattuso recalled ahead of their first meeting.
The two shared a dressing room, Ancelotti as a coach and Gattuso as a player, at Milan from 2001 to 2009, with whom they won eleven titles, including two Champions League titles after reaching three finals.