Carlo Ancelotti stated Real Madrid will face immense strain of their Champions League final 16 second leg derby at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, however backed his gamers to rise to the event. Champions Los Blancos maintain a 2-1 first leg lead forward of their go to to metropolis rivals Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium. The report 15-time winners boast a powerful report in opposition to Atletico through the years in Europe, most notably beating them within the 2014 and 2016 finals. “The motivation and the strain might be very excessive,” Ancelotti informed a reporters on Tuesday. “We’re doing nicely, motivated like at all times in (the Champions League), it is a laborious recreation and we all know it. We have the arrogance to proceed on this competitors, which is a really particular one.”
“It might be a good recreation, determined by small particulars, that is how (going through Atletico) has at all times been and it is going to be the identical tomorrow.”
The Italian coach stated if the tie comes right down to a penalty shoot-out, his crew’s psychological energy might be extra vital than their technical capacity.
“I’ve had gamers who shoot penalties very nicely however they did not have the suitable feeling going right into a shoot-out,” defined Ancelotti.
“The psychological facet is extra vital than the technical facet… I’ve received Champions Leagues with defenders who scored penalties.”
Ancelotti, who led AC Milan to glory as a coach in 2003 and 2007, earlier than lifting the competitors with Real Madrid in 2014, 2022 and 2024, additionally stated he didn’t thoughts if one in every of his gamers doesn’t need to take a spot kick.
“It’s not unhealthy if somebody says they do not need to take one — you need to take the duty while you’re feeling proper,” he added.
Last season Atletico Madrid fought again within the final 16 to beat Inter Milan on penalties after shedding the primary leg in Italy.
Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe missed penalties in opposition to Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao in direction of the top of 2024 throughout moments of low confidence, however has hit type since.
However he failed to attain within the first leg in opposition to Atletico on a quiet evening for the French celebrity and got here in for criticism.
“Kylian needs to attain in, and win, each recreation,” stated his compatriot, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
“It’s wild to listen to (individuals say) he has had troublesome days as a result of he did not rating in a few video games, if he scores tomorrow, everybody will say he is an unbelievable participant.
“Kylian would not want recommendation from anybody, he is glad, he is scored a variety of targets and he’ll rating much more.”
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