Carlo Ancelotti stated Actual Madrid will face immense stress of their Champions League final 16 second leg derby at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, however backed his gamers to rise to the event.
Champions Los Blancos maintain a 2-1 first leg lead forward of their go to to metropolis rivals Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium.
The document 15-time winners boast a robust document towards Atletico over time in Europe, most notably beating them within the 2014 and 2016 finals.
“The motivation and the stress shall be very excessive,” Ancelotti advised reporters on Tuesday.
“We’re doing nicely, motivated like at all times in (the Champions League), it is a onerous recreation and we all know it.
“We now have the arrogance to proceed on this competitors, which is a really particular one.
“It will likely be an excellent recreation, determined by small particulars, that is how (dealing with Atletico) has at all times been and will probably be the identical tomorrow.”
The Italian coach stated if the tie comes right down to a penalty shoot-out, his crew’s psychological energy shall be extra essential than their technical skill.
“I’ve had gamers who shoot penalties very nicely however they did not have the fitting feeling going right into a shoot-out,” defined Ancelotti.
“The psychological side is extra essential than the technical facet… I’ve gained Champions Leagues with defenders who scored penalties.”
Ancelotti, who led AC Milan to glory as a coach in 2003 and 2007, earlier than lifting the trophy with Actual Madrid in 2014, 2022 and 2024, additionally stated he doesn’t thoughts if one among his gamers is unwilling to take a spot-kick.
“It isn’t unhealthy if somebody says they do not wish to take one — it’s important to take the duty if you’re feeling proper,” he added.
Final season Atletico Madrid fought again within the final 16 to beat Inter Milan on penalties after shedding the primary leg in Italy.
– No ‘recommendation’ wanted –
Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe missed penalties towards Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao in the direction of the tip of 2024 throughout moments of low confidence, however has hit kind since.
Nonetheless he failed to attain within the first leg towards Atletico on a quiet evening for the French famous person and got here in for criticism.
The ahead didn’t participate within the begin of Madrid’s coaching session on Tuesday with the membership saying he had felt some “discomfort”, however Spanish media reported he ultimately joined his team-mates and shall be match to play.
“Kylian needs to attain in, and win, each recreation,” stated his compatriot, Actual Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
“It is wild to listen to (folks say) he has had troublesome days as a result of he did not rating in a few video games, if he scores tomorrow, everybody will say he is an unimaginable participant.
“Kylian does not want recommendation from anybody, he is joyful, he is scored lots of objectives and he’ll rating much more.”
Atletico midfielder Rodrigo de Paul stated his crew should outscore Actual Madrid fairly than essentially outplay them.
“In soccer the perfect crew does not at all times win, within the Bernabeu we had an awesome recreation, however there are conditions that fall by hook or by crook,” De Paul advised a information convention.
“90 minutes could be very lengthy and we’ll undergo lots of conditions, we have now to be good.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone stated his crew had been aiming to progress and go so far as the ultimate.
“I consider in my gamers, I’ve confidence within the squad, I do know the center my gamers have and we’ll go on the market seeking to keep on this Champions League,” stated the Argentinian.
“Our goal is to play within the remaining.”
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