Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is looking for a formula to increase his team’s performance and overcome Bayern Munich on Wednesday and reach the Champions League final.
The Italian admitted after last week’s semi-final first leg draw 2-2 in Bavaria that Real had failed to find their consistent best despite achieving a decent result, with the German giants largely in the lead.
“Bayern are very dangerous, they were at their best and we were not. We have time to improve on Wednesday,” Ancelotti told reporters at the Allianz Arena after Vinicius Junior’s two goals secured Real Madrid’s draw.
Real Madrid go into the match assured of sealing the La Liga title after a 3-0 victory over Cádiz on Saturday, but with the second leg of the Champions League in mind, celebrations have been put on ice.
Los Blancos players attended training on Sunday morning and did not join the crowd at Plaza Cibeles, where they used to celebrate together after winning major titles.
Real Madrid, 14-time Champions League winners, aimed to extend their European dominance.
“We would like to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because on Wednesday we have a very important challenge,” said Ancelotti.
“It’s a contained joy – we have the most important game of the season coming up.”
Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez agreed with his coach.
“We’re about to reach another final, we’re going to give everything to get there – that’s why we can’t celebrate too much,” he said.
Real Madrid’s objective is to achieve the fifth double in the League and the Champions League.
Ancelotti has won 12 trophies in Madrid and is close to catching the club’s all-time leader, Miguel Munoz, with 14, won between 1960 and 1972.
To reach the final at Wembley, Ancelotti will have to find a way to contain Bayern wingers Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, who caused Real Madrid constant headaches in the first leg.
– ‘Team effort’ –
Dani Carvajal will return from suspension at right-back to try and handcuff Musiala, while stopping former Manchester City player Sane could require Jude Bellingham and others to return to help Ferland Mendy.
“It was important when we started to defend with collective effort,” Ancelotti reminded his players when talking about the team’s improvement this season.
“The great effort was made by the forwards and not the defenders. The injuries helped us understand that it was not about individuals, but a team effort.”
Ancelotti only started Nacho against Cádiz from the line-up he deployed in Munich, so his players will be fresh and eager to reach the final.
Real Madrid kept Bayern’s prolific striker Harry Kane quiet for most of the half, but the England international scored from the penalty spot after Vázquez clumsily brought down Musiala.
The coach could also bring in Eduardo Camavinga to add energy and disrupt Bayern’s preparation, preventing them from stopping Real Madrid, as they did in Munich.
If Ancelotti’s planning fails, Real Madrid will always have the “magic” of the Santiago Bernabéu to fall back on.
The remarkable series of home comebacks to reach the 2022 Champions League final is fresh in the memory, with players quick to highlight the legend and mystique of the stadium.
“It’s time to have a magical night at the Bernabéu,” said Vinicius after Bayern’s draw, the kind Madridistas have enjoyed so many times before.
rbs/pi
