Carlo Ancelotti says his Real Madrid players are raring to go and determined to reach another Champions League final.
Los Blancos must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu this evening if they are to reach the final in Berlin, where they would face fierce rivals Barcelona, who knocked out Bayern Munich last night.
At his press conference ahead of the game, the boss told reporters the players know they are in a pivotal moment in the season and want to reach the final and become the first team to retain the Champions League.
He stated: “The team look focused, up for it and raring to put in a great semi-final to have the chance to play in the final again. It’s an important moment of the season, because we’re very close to playing in another final and going down in the history of the competition. We know that it’ll be difficult, but we we’re out to do everything we can to win.
“All Madridistas will be together as one against Juve. The fans have helped us in a lot of situations, such as against Atlético and Bayern. Tomorrow will be the same. In the recent games against Valencia and Sevilla we played well, but we lacked concentration in terms of the small details. Tomorrow we have to avoid that, be patient and play with a higher level of intensity than in the first leg.”
Speaking about the opponents, he claimed Juventus wouldn’t change their game style because the hold a lead.
“They have their style of play and their identity. I don’t think that they’ll change that for this game. They have a one-goal lead and they’re a team who are used to playing together, whether with three central defenders or with four at the back. Our idea is clear and we’re focused on that, however they play.”
