Before the Champions League Round of 16 match against Atlético Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti appeared before the Spanish press. Facing the media, the Italian coach was very reassuring about his team’s form despite the magnitude of the challenge.
Winners of the first leg of the Round of 16 last week, Real Madrid will look to finish the job this Wednesday. With a one-goal lead (2-1), Carlo Ancelotti and his men will have to be very focused to handle the Colchoneros. For this highly anticipated clash, featuring an experienced referee who hasn’t always been favourable to Los Blancos, the probable lineup is already known. Speaking to the Spanish press in the Ciudad hall on Tuesday, Ancelotti made some significant statements. Here’s what the Italian coach had to say to the journalists.
How is the team shaping up?
“We arrive in good shape, as motivated as always in this competition. It will be a tough match, and we know it, but we are confident about continuing in this very special tournament. This match allows us to keep dreaming, just as we have in previous years. This year, it is more complicated, but we still have the same belief that we can fight until the very last game.”
Since Simeone’s arrival, the balance between Atleti and Real Madrid has evened out—except in the Champions League. Why is that?
“I remember all the matches against Atlético, and they have always been balanced. Sometimes we won more in the Champions League; sometimes, it was them. Tomorrow will be the same. Qualification will come down to quality and the smallest details.”
The MVP of the first leg was Rodrygo, but Brahim played at a high level. Modrić as well. If Brahim and Modrić don’t play tomorrow, would that be unfair to them?
“I have more than 11 players who can start this match. Those who don’t start and come on later will make an impact. This is a match where a well-timed substitution can make all the difference.”
What is more important tomorrow: running or making the difference?
“If you only run, you might just level the game, but if you make the difference, you probably win it. Our objective is to reach the quarter-finals, regardless of who plays. Training for penalties is difficult because of the atmosphere and the mental aspect, but we don’t expect it to go that far. We are focused on preparing well for the match.”
The importance of Modrić
“That is just a coincidence. I don’t look at statistics when preparing my team. Don’t worry about Modrić; I don’t pay attention to those things.”
You have faced Simeone 27 times. Is he the coach who has pushed you the hardest?
“I consider him a great football manager. We share a very similar footballing philosophy. I have a lot of respect for him; he is fantastic, and we both see football in the same way.”
What do you expect from the partnership between Vinícius and Mbappé? Some say they may struggle to get along.
“I haven’t seen any issues, and I haven’t spoken to both players about it. They get along very well.”
Who secures qualification—the players or the managers?
“The players are responsible for winning; as for a defeat, well, you already know… Every manager understands this very well: the only one accountable is the coach. This isn’t new; it’s well known, and we are aware of it. I have a highly coveted job, but for a job I love, I accept the responsibility that comes with it.”
How will you counter Atlético?
“What we need to do is ensure the players are fully focused on what we must do, both with and without the ball. We need to understand how to break down a low block, how to escape their pressing, or how to counterattack. Atlético can play in different ways: defensively, offensively, on the counter… just like Real Madrid.”
You said it’s impossible to replicate the pressure of a penalty shootout in training. Can you explain further?
“In penalty training, you can see who strikes the ball best. When we create the penalty-taking list, we consider what we observe in training: who is more precise, who stays calm, who watches the goalkeeper… But in preparing this list, we don’t factor in the mental aspect, which is crucial. I have had players who were excellent in training but lacked the right mindset in a penalty shootout.”
“If I have to choose for a shootout, the mental aspect is more important than technique. If you are not mentally prepared, you won’t execute the penalty well technically. I won the Champions League with defenders taking penalties—Serginho, Nesta… There’s nothing wrong with a player stepping up and admitting they don’t feel comfortable taking a penalty. It’s about taking responsibility when you feel ready.”
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