Friday. 19.04.2024
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Ancelotti: Madrid have 'nothing missing' in Champions League quest

Madrid hold a 3-1 advantage after defeating Chelsea for the first time in Europe and will be expected to finish off the job in the Spanish capital on Tuesday

06 April 2022, United Kingdom, London: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gestures on the touchline during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire/dpa.
Carlo Ancelotti gestures on the touchline during the quarter-final first leg match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photo: John Walton/dpa.

Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid can win the Champions League but is braced for a tough quarter-final second leg against Chelsea.

Madrid hold a 3-1 advantage after defeating Chelsea for the first time in Europe and will be expected to finish off the job in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel has conceded the holders face an almost "impossible" task in the Spanish capital, as they have to win by their biggest margin away from home in the competition just to take the tie into extra-time.

Asked at a pre-match news conference what Madrid were missing to be labelled as favourites, Ancelotti said: "There is nothing missing, but nobody can say that they are going to win because the Champions League is very difficult.

"Not everyone can compete, you need a lot of quality, experience, personality. That's why I said that this team can compete."

Madrid are looking to become the first team to win both legs against Chelsea in a Champions League tie since Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 season.

'A difficult match'

But Ancelotti expects the Blues to come out fighting after Tuchel was critical of their display at Stamford Bridge last week.

"Everyone knows that it will be a difficult match, like all the quarter-finals in the Champions League," he continued. "Whatever happens in the first leg, you have to fight and compete.

"You have to be switched on for 90 minutes. We expect Chelsea are going to come out strong. I am lucky that my squad knows this type of match and what can happen. We won't go out relaxed.

"My squad is happy to play because it's a great opportunity to reach a semi-final."

Ancelotti: Madrid have 'nothing missing' in Champions League quest