Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti addressed a packed-out press conference room on Friday afternoon, as his los Blancos side prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
Los Merengues will be looking to claim their fifteenth triumph in this tournament, and Ancelotti admitted that “success is so close that you start to worry,” but insisted that “the team is really focused” ahead of the clash at Wembley Stadium.
“It happens a lot of time [comebacks]. There is something special in this club. It will be studied. I think it’s something special that depends from what? I don’t know – maybe traditions, quality, character of the player. It happens so many times.”
“The dressing room has the necessary confidence to do our best,” he told reporters, adding that “to get the best obviously we have have to have that, we need to have that. [It is] the most important game of season for us with plenty of respect for our rival – we have said they deserve to be here [but] I wish everything goes according to our plan.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 64-year-old Italian has full confidence in his players, and brushed off the suggestion that transfer rumours linking Rodrygo with a move to Manchester City have been unsettling. “Rodrygo is going to give it all tomorrow. He has been very important he is and will be in the future,” he insisted.
Speaking on how his side are approaching yet another Champions League decider, Ancelotti admitted that “when you reach a final, success is so close that you start to worry. Concern starts tonight, tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon – it’s normal. If you have more fear, you’ll be happier if you are able to win.”
“Everyone has to manage it according to their own character. Of course, we will have emotions, maybe a bit of concern, before the game, but managing those emotions is an important thing.”
He added that “a final is a final, and the Champions League final is an important game and the most dangerous one of course. It’s a double-edged sword. We need to enjoy it to the maximum. Then concern starts – it could go wrong. We are so close to the most important thing in football – winning the Champions League. Of course there is fear.”
“When you reach a final, success is so close that you start to worry. Concern starts, tonight, tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon. It’s normal. If you have more fear you’ll be happier if you are able to win in the end.”
Kickoff for the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League final between Atalanta BC and Bayer Leverkusen at Dublin Arena is scheduled for 20:00 local time, or 21:00 CEST, on Wednesday 22 May 2024.
Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, 1 June 2024. Kickoff at Wembley Stadium is scheduled for 20:00 BST. FromTheSpot will provide extensive coverage of the buildup and the match itself on FromTheSpot.co.uk and our X account.