Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes his team can tighten up its defence against Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid enters the game trailing 4-3, knowing that if City had been as ruthless in taking chances as Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr were in Manchester last week, the tie would most likely be out of reach by now.
Ancelotti, boosted by securing the club’s 35th La Liga title, was looking forward to the game in his pre-game press conference.
“We are motivated and focused,” he commented, adding his players had “a challenge tomorrow, an opportunity to play in a Champions League final. There is a great atmosphere.”
“We are aware of the difficulty of tomorrow’s game, but the tie is open, despite that small disadvantage and it’s time to fix it,” he said.
The Italian highlighted the difference between Real Madrid’s counterattacking style and their rivals’ fluid passing game, but stressed that in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, “personality plays an important part because it allows you to show all of the quality that you have.”
“You don’t just win with your heart, you win with everything, adding quality, collective commitment,” he insisted.
Ancelotti also welcomed the return of holding midfielder Casemiro, who missed the first leg due to injury, according to Xinhua.
“His return without doubt helps to reinforce our defensive aspect and that is something we have to work on. We have to be tighter and more compact in defense and move better. It’s something we’ve worked on and I think we’re going to see an improvement,” he said.
Despite Ancelotti’s admission that central defender David Alaba was almost certain to miss that game due to injury, the Austrian has been named to the squad for Wednesday’s game.
(Inputs from IANS)