Everton "need European football" says club captain Seamus Coleman.
The Blues signed off for the winter break by moving into seventh place after a win over Crystal Palace.
Everton were in the bottom three when Marco Silva was sacked but caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson handed over the reigns with the team in 15th.
Ancelotti has taken 17 points from his eight league games and has challenged his players to "fight" for Europa League qualification.
As it stands, only the top five sides in the Premier League will be guaranteed a place in Europe but typically finishing sixth and seventh opens up the door because the winners of the League Cup and FA Cup have earned a spot through their league finish.
“We’re trying to catch those European places," Coleman told evertonfc.com.
“A few months ago, we probably didn’t think that was possible. But we’re playing well now and just looking forward to every game.
“We’ve got to push for Europe. I think this club needs European football and we all want that.
“Especially here at Goodison, playing under the lights, it’s exciting. It’s something different. It’s what we want for the Football Club.
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“Where this football club wants to get in the next three, four, five years, it has to be wanting European football every year and if we can get it this year, that’s a bonus."
