Ancelotti on reaching the final: "I can't thank the team enough"

press conferenceIt is unbelievable. Real “Remontada” Madrid are in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Once again, Blancos ignite their fire in the Bernabéu and opponents Manchester City end up empty-handed. “The most important thing was the psychological advantage,” said Carlo Ancelotti, who was also deeply grateful for his team’s performance and praised their fighting spirit: “They never give up.”

– Foto: IMAGO / Pressinphoto“> Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid

Enlarge

And it was ignited again: the magic of the Bernabeu that carries Real to the final– Foto: IMAGO / Pressinphoto

After Real Madrid – Manchester City: CARLO ANCELOTTI on…

…his team’s race to catch up again and their place in the final against ManCity: “The world thought the game was lost. We gave everything. In these games you also need a bit of luck. The game was very competitive, but we kept our heads up. The game was a lot more complicated after Manchester City’s goal, but we sacrificed ourselves, we were lucky and we had the energy. I think the changes helped us a lot. It was an intense game, we played well and tried to push up. City didn’t play as usual because we tried to put pressure on and it worked well.”

…the phenomenon of repeatedly catching up: “Yes, something very extraordinary happened. That was a fantastic night. We played against very strong teams, teams that were initially traded to win the Champions League: Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and with Liverpool coming next. To explain that, I don’t know. I think that happens through the players and also through the fans. These fans always push us, not only in the stadium but also outside, even days before the games. The weight of this jersey, once the players put it on, also plays a role. All of that has an impact.”

…the question of being the only manager with four Champions League titles and facing Liverpool again: “The feeling I have is that I’m playing another final – playing with Liverpool against a team I’ve met many times: as a player in 1984 and as a manager (with AC Milan) 2005 and 2007 and now again. I lived in Liverpool for two years, for me it’s like a derby because I’m still linked with Everton.”

…the crucial quality that keeps the team standing up: “I think it’s because they never give up. This is something special. First of all we have to thank the players for what they do. I can’t thank them enough for what they do. Of course, the atmosphere, the ambience plays a role, but also the quality that the players bring. Rodrygo (Goes)when he comes in, is able to score twice, (Jesus) Vallejo only plays five minutes and wins all aerial duels. (Dani) Ceballos and (Marco) Asensio always sacrifice themselves. Nobody, really nobody believed that Real Madrid would play a Champions League final this year. But we are here.”

…the question of whether this strong CL season has secured the future of Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo or Vinícius Júnior: “I think so, but you also have to say that (Luka) Modrić, Toni Kroos and Casemiro played a great game in the first 70 minutes. We tried to press up and we did it because of the fantastic work of these three. I only made the changes to bring more energy onto the field. With these players, Real Madrid’s future is secured because the three will continue and alongside them we have other young players with high quality.”

…the extension: “I think the mental aspect was the most important thing in overtime. If you turn the game around in the last minute, it’s logical that Manchester City will have a mental low. We gained even more energy after Rodrygo’s second goal. All we had to do was defend well and stay in control, we already had the psychological advantage.”

…Liverpool FC as opponents in the final and coach Jürgen Klopp: “I know Jürgen very well, he is a great coach and I have met him many times. I have maximum respect for him, his coaching staff and his team. It will be a fantastic final with two teams with different characteristics. It will be a final between two very even teams.”

article

687359

press conference

Ancelotti on reaching the final: “I can’t thank the team enough”

It is unbelievable. Real “Remontada” Madrid are in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Once again, Blancos ignite their fire in the Bernabéu and opponents Manchester City end up empty-handed. “The most important thing was the psychological advantage,” said Carlo Ancelotti, who was also deeply grateful for his team’s performance and praised their fighting spirit: “They never give up.”