MADRID.- The technician of the Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelottihopes to be able to experience “another magical night” on Wednesday in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, but admits his respect for a rival “who did better in the first leg.”
“We are very excited because it could be another magical night for us, for our fans,” Ancelotti said in the press conference prior to the match, admitting that “we are aware of the difficulties” of the match.
After the 2-2 in the first leg in Munich, the second leg is completely open at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the merengue players “are all going to try to do their best,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian coach considered that Real Madrid and Bayern are similar, “they are clubs that have a great tradition, a great history, with a lot of success in the Champions League.”
“We respect each other, it’s fair that it be that way. We have to respect the rival because they did better in the first leg” despite the draw, Ancelotti warned.
“A game with intensity, with rhythm on a defensive and offensive level, suits us better. On a defensive level we could have done more (in the first leg) and we want to do much more there. A game with intensity and obviously with control of the game suits us better. “An intense game,” he explained.
The key for Real Madrid:
Ancelotti pointed out that controlling the opponent’s transitions will be one of the key points in the match.
“These two teams (Real Madrid and Bayern) make transitions very well because they have quality and fast players in front of them,” he said.
“I think they are the two most dangerous teams in Europe in this sense. Transitions can be avoided with good balance. With good balance you can handle the rest,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian coach warned against Bayern’s ability to survive “very similar” to that of Real Madrid to take the game to the limit.
“Anything can happen tomorrow,” Ancelotti insisted, but reiterated that the club has “the hope of spending another spectacular night” at the Bernabéu.
Source: AFP
