Ancelotti: Bayern are dangerous… we have a chance to overtake them
Italian Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s Spanish coach, is looking for a formula to boost the performance of his team that recently won the league title when it hosts German Bayern Munich on Wednesday, which will rely on its English top scorer Harry Kane. The second leg of the Champions League semi-final.
The coach, who won the trophy four times with the Big Years (Milan 2003, 2007, Real 2014 and 2022), admitted his side were not at their best in the first leg, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The superiority of the Bavarian team.
Ancelotti (aged 64) told reporters after the draw at the Allianz Arena: “Bayern, unlike us, are a very dangerous team. “We have time to move forward on Wednesday.”
After defeating Cádiz 3-0 in the round of 34 and losing its direct series against Barcelona 2-4 to Girona, Real players did not join the fans in the Plaza after winning the “La Liga” title for the 36th time in its history. De Sibeles witness the Royal Club’s celebrations after winning titles.
The coach commented on the matter: “We want to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because we have a very important match on Wednesday.”
Team captain Nacho Fernandez agrees with his coach: “We are on the verge of qualifying for a new final and we will give everything to achieve it; “That’s why we can’t celebrate too much.”
The royal club are aiming to collect the league and Champions League double in one season for the fifth time, while Ancelotti hopes to achieve his twelfth individual title with Real, closing in on the club record held by his teammate Miguel Munoz. 1960 and 1972 (14 titles).
“A magical night”: But the road to the final meant the need for defensive cohesion against Bayern, which relied on a group of strikers led by Kane alongside Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane.
Real Madrid regain the services of right-back Dani Carvajal after returning from suspension. This helps limit Musiala’s attacks, while the midfielders have to drop back into defensive support in front of Sane, with the highly dangerous Englishman Jude Bellingham.
Ancelotti believes that “it was important when we started to defend collectively”: “A big effort was given by the attackers instead of the defenders. Injuries helped us to understand that it is not about individuals, but about the team effort.
The Italian coach rested all players who played against Bayern when they faced Cadiz, except for defender Nacho. So, everyone will be in better physical condition.
If Ancelotti’s plans fail, Real will always find “magic” at their home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu, as Brazil’s Vinicius Junior, who scored both goals in the first leg, confirmed: “It’s time to have a magical night at the Bernabeu. .”
Ken trump card: On the other hand, Bayern are still looking for a new coach after Thomas Tuchel, who will leave at the end of the season by administrative decision, although fans signed a petition calling for him to stay in his position.
Bayern’s honorary chairman, Uli Hoeneß, disagreed with the fans; Last month, Tuchel said he does not have the ability to develop players but prefers to sign stars.
The coach responded that the comments insulted him and undoubtedly ended his hopes of remaining at the club.
After being knocked out of the cup in the first round and missing out on the league title for the first time after 11 seasons of dominance, Tuchel could leave the Bavarian club empty-handed after Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Bavarian club in the closing stages narrowed the gap to two points with his successor Stuttgart III tightening his grip on him.
During Tuchel’s tenure, Bayern signed Kane (age 30) for $107 million, who had the best season of his career in the Bundesliga, including 36 goals in all competitions. Bayern relied on… yes, skip Real.
The Englishman, the league’s top scorer, scored a penalty kick against Madrid in the first leg and said after he moved to Bavaria with the aim of winning back the titles he lost at his former club: “I definitely dream of playing in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Commenting on the 2-2 draw in the first leg, he added, “This is now a match that takes you to Wembley and on such a big occasion we have to deliver the required level . So, there is an opportunity,” he said.
In turn, Thomas Muller (34), a veteran who won 32 titles with Bayern, including two Champions Leagues, will be the key to success in Madrid, according to the club’s website.
He continued: “It’s a competition of equal opportunities, football on a knife edge is about talent. “It’s a matter of millimeters whether we are effective in the moments when we have opportunities.”
He added: “Now it’s all about getting to the finish line in Madrid. Real Madrid is a very dangerous team, but can match it. Can it be overcome? “It’s up to us.”
