Ahead of the Champions League final, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gave a press conference where he talked about the team’s preparations, player roles and the upcoming game.
First, when asked about the team’s current state of preparation, Ancelotti said: “We have had enough time to prepare for this match, the dressing room is fully focused, the players are determined and confident, the whole team is ready to face the most crucial game of the season. We have great respect for our opponents, and we hope for everything to go smoothly.”
When talking about player roles, Ancelotti specifically mentioned goalkeeper Courtois and forward Rodrygo. He stated clearly: “Lunin has been sick for a week, he will travel tomorrow, he is fine but he will be Courtois’s substitute, the latter will start as goalkeeper. Rodrygo has been, is and will be a key player for us, his role in the match will be very important.”
On the pre-final pep talk, Ancelotti said: “The first priority is to convey a clear game strategy to the players. Conciseness often avoids nervousness, tactical deployment will be the focus. Emotions will naturally arise, each player will adjust based on their own personality. Tension and fear are part of the pursuit of excellence, we need to face them head-on. But team spirit and selflessness will play a decisive role in tomorrow’s match.”
Furthermore, Ancelotti also mentioned Real Madrid’s historical heritage and resilience in the Champions League. He said: “Real Madrid is a team with a long history and glorious record, the resilience and determination we show at key moments is unmatched by other teams. This spirit will inspire us to perform at our best in the final.”
When asked about his own changes over the past decade, Ancelotti joked: “I’ve aged ten years! However, I still feel young. Over the past decade, I have accumulated a wealth of experience. This group of players has the potential to achieve great things, including those who were already here ten years ago, it’s incredible.”
Finally, Ancelotti talked about the impact of the match result on the entire season. He said: “No matter the outcome of the match, this season has been a success for us. But winning the Champions League would undoubtedly add more luster to this season. We will give our all and strive to achieve a good result in the final.”
This is Ancelotti’s eighth Champions League final as a manager and Real Madrid’s first time in the final at Wembley, to which Ancelotti said: “Two-fold meaning. Firstly, this is the most important match of the season; secondly, the venue has a rich history. We are honored to be here, and we hope to show our best tomorrow.”
Without Benzema, how to maintain the team’s level? Ancelotti replied: “It’s about attitude and mental strength. We have faced many challenges, and the players have shown their ability and responsibility. We see opportunities in adversity.”
Carvajal mentioned that opponents feel “fear” when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League. Ancelotti said: “The final is both a battle of honor and a risk. We enjoy getting this far, but we also know that any slip-up could lead to failure. The closer you get to victory, the more afraid you are of losing. Everyone has their own way of coping, we must go all out, stay unbroken, and need a little luck. Fear comes with honor, but the joy after overcoming fear will be even richer. Tonight, tomorrow morning, afternoon… Anxiety and fear will be with us. However, it’s precisely these things that make the final victory sweeter.”
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