Carlo Ancelotti mentioned Real Madrid will face immense stress 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 towards Atletico over time in Europe, most notably beating them within the 2014 and 2016 finals.
“The motivation and the pressure will be very high,” Ancelotti informed a reporters on Tuesday.
“We’re doing nicely, motivated like at all times in (the Champions League), it is a onerous sport and we all know it.
“We have the boldness to proceed on this competitors, which is a really particular one.
“It will be an even game, decided by small details, that’s how (facing Atletico) has always been and it will be the same tomorrow.”
The Italian coach mentioned if the tie comes all the way down to a penalty shoot-out, his crew’s psychological energy shall be extra necessary than their technical capability.
“I’ve had players who shoot penalties very well but they didn’t have the right feeling going into a shoot-out,” defined Ancelotti.
“The mental aspect is more important than the technical side… I’ve won 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 mentioned he didn’t thoughts if one in all his gamers doesn’t wish to take a spot kick.
“It’s not bad if someone says they don’t want to take one — you have to take the responsibility when you’re feeling right,” he added.
Last season Atletico Madrid fought again within the final 16 to beat Inter Milan on penalties after dropping the primary leg in Italy.
Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe missed penalties towards 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 towards Atletico on a quiet night time for the French famous person and got here in for criticism.
“Kylian wants to score in, and win, every game,” mentioned his compatriot, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
“It’s wild to listen to (individuals say) he has had tough 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 doesn’t need advice from anyone, he’s happy, he’s scored a lot of goals and he will score a lot more.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr