Carlo Ancelotti advises Real Madrid players ahead of the UCL Final. Madrid will face Dortmund at Wembley on June 1
Carlo Ancelotti advises Real Madrid players ahead of the UCL Final
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti advised his players to enjoy the moment as they gear up to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on June 1 at Wembley.
Ancelotti will take charge as manager in his sixth final, eighth overall, and third with Real who are looking to win a record-extending 15th European crown.
“It is a week to enjoy. The challenge, the opponent… We’re going to enjoy it until Friday. Reaching a final is always a success,” the Italian told a news conference on Monday.
“We have a lot of confidence. As for being favorites, we don’t think about that. We have to play against a team that has done very well in eliminating PSG… Atletico Madrid. They have shown commitment and attitude.”
La Liga title
After bagging the La Liga title with four games to spare, Ancelotti has been able to give some time off to players.
“The build-up to the big game is always the same, the excitement to be a protagonist in the most important match of the season,” Ancelotti said.
“This is my ninth final if I count those as a player. The third as a player and the sixth as a coach. It’s always the same week: happiness and then worry. The fear will come, but I will enjoy it before it does.
“The cold sweat comes on Saturday afternoon. It’s quite normal, it comes every match and I have experience. I have a lot of confidence in my team. They are in Champions League mode.”
Ancelotti didn’t reveal who will be Real’s goalkeeper at Wembley.
Thibaut Courtois has started four games since making a comeback from a serious knee injury but Andriy Lunin was Real’s hero when they defeated Manchester City on penalties to reach the last four of UCL.
“Both deserve to play in the final. Lunin has done spectacularly and Courtois, we all know the quality he has,” Ancelotti said.