Carlo Ancelotti wants to distance himself a little from the atmosphere of euphoria that Madrid fans are experiencing and warned this morning, in the previous press conference, of the difficulties that Bayern will present despite the fact that the 2-2 in the first leg favors the whites by playing the decisive match in the heat of their stadium. “We are optimistic and we are very excited because it can be a magical night for us. But there is awareness of the difficulties we may encounter because in the first leg they were much better than us,” declared the Italian coach.
Ancelotti, as he already said in Munich, insisted that he sees many similarities between Bayern and Madrid: “As clubs, we are similar. They have a great tradition, history, many Champions Leagues. We respect each other and it is fair that it be that way; Furthermore, in a semi-final you have to respect your rival,” he stated.
After having won four Champions Leagues from the bench (and two more as a player), Ancelotti said he maintains the same enthusiasm: “Today is a day worth living. It is a huge motivation to live a day like this. Tomorrow (the day of the game) may be more complicated because worry comes, a little fear... but today is a spectacular day. The idea of being able to reach another final motivates a lot.”
The coach confirmed that Lunin will play against Bayern and did not want to reveal much more about the team or the game system: “We will play with intensity, with rhythm on an offensive and defensive level. Much more could be done there. And we want to do it and control the game. It will be an intense match.”
Ancelotti was also asked how the team with which he won his first Champions League in Madrid was different, ten years ago, in 2014: “The 2014 squad is still there, not all of them, because time passes for everyone, but This squad has transitioned very well this period. The general line is always to improve with these players: Modric, Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez... they are managing a transition that began after Cristiano left and the young people learn very well, how one should behave at Real Madrid."
A German journalist asked Ancelotti why he had lasted only one season at Bayern: “The support of the club is essential and when it fails it is better to part ways. How it happened there. But nothing else. I have a fantastic relationship with Hoeness, Rummenigge... everyone. This is work. When you don't have the support of the club, it's better to separate there."
Ancelotti once again recalled that there are things that the two teams do in a similar way: “We are two teams that play very well in transitions because we have quality, fast players. We are the two most dangerous in this sense in Europe. You can only avoid transitions with good balance.”
Finally, Ancelotti was asked about his philosophy as a coach: “You have to adapt to the characteristics of the players. “I never want a team with a single identity,” he noted.
After Ancelotti, Dani Carvajal, the vice captain, who could not play in the first leg due to an accumulation of cards, came to the press room: “The coach is increasingly afraid (he ironizes). You are one game away from a final. I try to enjoy. Tonight I hope to see the other semifinal, have a chat with my teammates. That tingling in the morning, when you're doing a rondo... I was talking to my wife that the other day I traveled with the team (to Mubich) without playing and I enjoyed it. I hope to free myself from everything and not waste energy on nerves.”
The Leganés full-back highly praised Vinícius' contribution: “Vini has improved in everything. In the definition, physically, the maturity of him playing, when to attack the space, on the foot... he is showing it. He works a lot outside of Valdebebas and everything is making him one of the best in the world. I hope it helps us and gives us a pass to the final,” he said.
