Ancelotti: «The goal is the semifinals, we can say it without too much pressure

MADRID, 19 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, marked the semifinals as the “objective” of the merengue team for this edition of the Champions League, a goal that they can talk about “without too much pressure”, at the same time that he confessed that he sees the English Manchester City, current champion of the competition, as the “favorite” for this season.

«City is a favorite, especially because it has a squad that allowed it to win last year, it hasn’t changed much and it won the Champions League last year. As always, there are surprises, but today it may be the favorite. Real Madrid is going to compete until the end, we have never thought that we are favorites, neither have City. As a football fan, I think it can be said that they are the favorites,” the Italian analyzed in the press conference prior to the duel against Union Berlin.

Furthermore, the transalpine coach responded to Barça coach, Xavi Hernández, who assured that the Blaugrana’s goal in the Champions League is to pass the group stage. “The objective is to pass the group stage, the round of 16, the quarterfinals… The objective is to compete until the end, to be among the first four, we can say it without too much pressure, we can achieve it,” he expressed with confidence.

«We are prepared like last year, some have left and those who have arrived are contributing a lot. What Fran (García) and Joselu are doing is very important, also (Jude) Bellingham. “The new ones are contributing,” he said about his current team.

Thus, he analyzed the situation of Croatian Luka Modric, who is experiencing a different start to recent seasons as he is relegated to the bench in most games. «He is fine, like everyone. I talk to him every day. Sometimes, on the professional side, he may find that not playing like before can affect him a little, but the personal relationship is still fantastic. The day we leave here, she will still be fantastic,” said Ancelotti, who confirmed his starting role against the Germans this Wednesday.

However, full-back Dani Carvajal will not be able to take to the pitch due to overload, as confirmed by the coach. «We preferred to give him rest. Tomorrow they will do tests, we think it is nothing serious, he will be able to recover soon. He still has options to play in the derby, the player’s feelings are quite good,” he predicted, before revealing that Lucas Vázquez will be his replacement at the start of the Champions League.

The Turkish Arda Güller will not be in the squad either, although Ancelotti noted that he will return to training this Monday. “He is recovering well, he has no problems, he is finishing his individual work,” he updated about the young Madrid talent.

Regarding his rival this Wednesday, Ancelotti highlighted his “good defensive organization”, as well as his “forcefulness” and “solidity”. «We will need to play a match of intensity, it is always a special competition, we are going to play tomorrow’s match as something special. We want to start well, tomorrow we have a chance at home,” he said.

«They are a new team in the Champions League, but that means they did very well last year. The luck of the coaches is that at this moment in football we can know everything about the opponent, and we have studied them well. They play as a collective, as a team, there are no individualities that stand out,” he added about Union Berlin.

Finally, Ancelotti gave his opinion on the possibility of Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal, a self-confessed Real Madrid fan, becoming president of the club. «I have only had one president, Florentino Pérez, who is doing a fantastic job, he is the best possible president for Real Madrid. But we are proud that Nadal, for whom I have total admiration, is a real Madrid fan,” he said, before showing his “respect” towards the Spanish team’s footballers, although without entering into the conflict.