Real Madrid will not play for a draw when they take on Atletico de Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Vicente Calderon, says Carlo Ancelotti.
Los Blancos take a 3-0 lead into the game, having outplayed their cross city rivals in the first leg last week, avenging the defeat they suffered at the Santiago Bernabeu in last season’s final.
Speaking at his press conference on Monday afternoon, Ancelotti urged his players to be switched on from the start, and said they will approach the game with the same intensity and philosophy as any other match. Anything else would be an irresponsible approach to take, he said.
“We have a significant advantage but we need to play with the same focus as in the first leg to avoid problems. We shouldn’t change our philosophy and we have to play with intensity to have possession. The best thing is to not to think about the lead that we have. It will be difficult because they are a very strong team,” Ancelotti told gathered reporters.
He added that despite the big lead, the game will be played at the same intensity as any other Madrid derby. “Matches between two teams from the same city are always more intense than normal, ” Ancelotti stated.
