Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelloti has urged his Real Madrid players to show their quality against Liverpool on Saturday in the Champions League finals.
Carlo Ancelloti will be guiding Real Madrid to their 17th Champions League finals and will be hoping to help them win a record 14th time in the competition’s history.62 years old will be seeking to win his 4th Champions League final as a coach.
What did Ancelloti say?
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s final He said: “We have to approach the game to show our ability.
“ What we’ve been able to show this season, we have to do tomorrow too. It’s a massive team commitment, and it’ll come down to individual quality and the players who’ve come in, proven themselves, and made the difference.
“Liverpool will play with intensity. They’re got a lot of talent and play directly. The team that’s capable of showing their quality will win”.
Ancelloti believes his side has what it takes to manage this kind of game.
He added: “We’re aware of the history of this club and what it demands. It was really important for us to get here because we’ve had such a good season and we’re one step away from the top prize.
“We’ll give it our all. The atmosphere is good, relaxed. The team manages these types of games well. The veterans help the young players to relax and to look forward to the game with confidence”.
“Each game has its own story and strategy. From what I see, there is motivation and slightly less concern, because the game in Lisbon was the decisive match for everyone at Real Madrid in terms of all the club’s success in recent years, and for that reason the build-up is different.
“I’m happy and still enjoying things. I’m relaxed and feeling confident. There’ll be a few nerves tomorrow evening, but the players’ faces will reassure me, as they give me a lot of confidence”.
Carlo Ancelotti lost against Liverpool in 2005 as a coach with AC Milan after AC Millan had scored three goals in the finals.
He said: “I’ve got great memories of all the finals and I think the final when we played the best was the one against Liverpool when we lost.
“Anything can happen in a final, we have to be ready for anything. We’ve had time to prepare for it and we go into it in good form. We’re going to give it our best, but that’s not enough to win. In football, there’s something you can’t control, but it’s the final and it always has the same feeling.
“The build-up is always a beautiful thing that you have to enjoy until the referee blows the whistle, without thinking too much about what might happen”.
There are concerns over the quality of the pitch at Stade de France the venue for the Champions league after a new turf was laid at Thursday 1am.
Carlo ancelotti seems less concern saying:”Yes, I knew they were going to change it but we haven’t been out there yet and trained. I don’t think it will be an issue.
“I can’t judge that and say if he is right or not as I haven’t been out on the pitch yet.”