“The objective is to reach the final because usually if you get there Real Madrid have more percentage of winning it,” explained the coach.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the Etihad Stadium press room before the final training session prior to Manchester City — Real Madrid and analyzed the first leg of the Champions League semi-final (21:00; Movistar Champions League): “Real Madrid’s history in this competition counts a lot for us, more than for our opponents. This history that has grown over all these years helps the players to feel the weight of this shirt and it is a positive weight. This shirt is a positive responsibility.
“There are two teams that nobody thought could reach the semi-finals: Villarreal and Real Madrid. We are very happy to be here and to compete. Real Madrid are always going to compete and fight 100 per cent”.
Objective
“The tie won’t be decided tomorrow. It will be decided at the Bernabéu. I have doubts about whether to go with three strikers or two. Rodrygo is doing well and so is Camavinga. They are bringing a lot of energy and these are the doubts. The pressure is similar. For us it’s not a success to reach the semi-final. We have the desire to reach the final. The objective is to reach the final because usually if you get to the final Real Madrid have a better chance of winning it”.
The semi-final
“We have to play it well. With the change in the goals rule everything is more open and in this type of match there is a mixture of happiness because we are very close to the final of the most important competition in the world and the worry of playing against a strong team. We are used to it because we have had very tough games in this Champions League. We fought and it worked out well and we will fight tomorrow too, no doubt”.
The injured
“Mendy is fine. We have doubts about Alaba and more doubts about Casemiro. Today’s training session will tell us. We have more doubts about Casemiro than Alaba. Casemiro is trying and he is close. If he doesn’t play this game he will play the next.
Pressure to win the league on Saturday?
“We don’t think about what can happen on Saturday. We have the league much closer, we can win it in our stadium and we are going to try. We are very happy to be able to win an important competition a month earlier.
Ancelotti: The history of Real help us
“On the other hand, we have this match, which we are very excited about. The atmosphere is very good, these are the games that players with their experience want to prepare for and play in. I don’t need to tell them much to prepare for the match. We are working on strategy, but this period is very simple for me. It’s not the right time to evaluate the season, but the work this year has been simple”.
Defensive block against Manchester City
“If you don’t have a compact block you are going to suffer. The defensive aspect has an important part to play in tomorrow’s game. Defending well, being compact and having collective commitment. There are times when City will have the ball and when they do, we have to defend and try to win the ball. You can do it with high, medium or low pressing and when you win the ball you have to take advantage of the quality we have. You can do it with a solid position from the back, with vertical play, with one-on-one duels… There aren’t many secrets to what we’re going to do”.
Why did you return to Real Madrid?
“Because Real Madrid needed a coach. It was an illusion to return, but it wasn’t my decision. Real Madrid had confidence in what I could do and I’m enjoying it”.
More rest days than City
“The players are used to playing every day and there will be no problem. If there are injuries it’s different, but I don’t think we will take advantage of that.”