Ancelotti hails Real Madrid Champions League ability

Carlo Ancelotti spoke ahead of the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal, as he insisted that the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu is more important than the upcoming first leg

Real Madrid have been faced with criticism following their 1-2 defeat at home to Valencia on Saturday, a loss that could have a mental impact on the players ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal.

However, speaking on the eve of the showdown, head coach Carlo Ancelotti urged his team not to pay attention to criticism amid their tough schedule in this final stage of the season. “We can’t think of criticism when we have a game every three days,” he told reporters.

Ancelotti said that while the first leg at the Emirates remains important, it will not be the decisive match of the tie. “We have analysed it and now it’s time to prepare for this game well. It’s 90 very important minutes, not decisive because there are another 90 at the Bernabeu,” he reassured.

The Italian manager shrugged off the backlash targeted towards him as he added: “People are tired of seeing me on the bench. I don’t know. The important thing is that the most important person in this club is not tired of me. The others? It’s the same, I don’t care.”

Ancelotti underscored experience as a vital aspect when it comes to the Champions League, as he backed the 15-time winners to be fearless against the Gunners, who have never been crowned European champions “Experience in this tournament is very important,” he warned.

“Knowledge means you’re not afraid of these matches, with this pressure. It’s very important to have that experience and players who have played in these matches many times. And it helps the youngsters.”

The 65-year-old also spared a few words on Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, who has been shining in north London after being discarded by the ‘Merengues’ in 2020. “The talent he has now is what he had at 16. Then he had the character, the courage to leave,” he said.

He hailed the Norwegian midfielder as he added: “Now he’s one of the best in Europe. There was no room for him to prove his quality. And he decided to go elsewhere, for the chance to play. He went to one of the best clubs in the Champions League.”