Manchester City are standing in their way, and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that nobody predicted that either his team or Villarreal would reach the semi-final stage.
The Los Blancos will always compete
Real Madrid will have to upset the odds in order to reach another Champions League final, with Manchester City standing in their way, and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that nobody predicted that either his team or Villarreal would reach the semi-final stage. Unai Emery has masterminded Villarreal’s route to the semi-final, defeating Bayern Munich in the quarter-final, whilst Los Blancos have been able to eliminate both Paris Saint-Germain and the defending champions, Chelsea. “There are two teams in the semi-finals that nobody believed would get here, Real Madrid and Villarreal,” Ancelotti declared in his pre-match press conference. “I remember what was said at the time, the press and public opinion. We got here, and we’re very happy; Real Madrid will always compete.”
In the Madrid’s game, the defensive aspect will be an important part of the match
Diego Simeone truly upset Manchester City with his team’s strategy in both legs of their quarter-final. Yet, there are those who believe Ancelotti should use the Argentine’s team as the blueprint to frustrate Manchester City on Tuesday. “If you don’t have a compact team, then you’re going to suffer,” he continued. “Tomorrow, the defensive aspect will be an important part of the match; there are times when Manchester City will have the ball. It’s very simple; if they have it, you can’t just watch them; you have to defend and try to win it back, be it with high, medium or low pressure.” Ancelotti will have to assess his players ahead of the kick-off on Tuesday. Yet, the Italian coach has refused to confirm whether or not Casemiro will be available to play. “From what we saw in training on Sunday, Mendy is very safe,” he declared.
“We have some doubts with Alaba and, above all, Casemiro. We have much more confidence with Alaba than with Casemiro; if Casemiro doesn’t play then, he will be in for the next match.”