REAL MADRID | ANCELOTTI
Ancelotti says a Madrid win in Milan "won't eclipse Barça's year"
The former Real Madrid coach chatted to Goal.com and answered questions: "I think Madrid will win in Milan, but against Atlético it'll be complicated".
Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti took part in a live chat with Goal.com and much of the chichat was about this week's Champions League final - a situation he has been in himself a number of times as a coach: "Your heart feels different, your emotions are different and I think it's important to be quiet and calm, and also build your players' confidence to play this type of game", the Italian said. "My heart is for Real Madrid, of course".
Prognostic: "Atlético are probably the worst team Madrid could face - they are a really tough team, they don't concede anything. It'll be tough but every final is tough. Because of the pressure I think it will be a very close result next Saturday in Milan. We played this final two years ago and that brings back a lot of good memories for me. I think Madrid will win it again but against Atlético it's going to be very complicated".
What did you say to the players when Madrid won La Décima in Lisbon? "That was really tough! The scoreline doesn't reflect the game! I think that above all the players had the confidence and self belief to level the game right up to the last attack. It's very difficult to say anything to the players from the bench. They did really well".
How do you prepare for a Champions League final, and one which is a derby? "I don't usually talk individually to the players because I am 100 per cent certain that they are focused. Everyone in the team already knows everyone else and the only problem is going to the game with too much pressure or stress. If you notice that a player is looking stressed you have to lighten the situation somehow - maybe with a joke. It's important to avoid pressure - the players know what they have to do".
Do you think Zidane's managerial inexperience could be a factor? "I don't think so. Zidane has done a fantastic job and has got his ideas across, he's got a good relationship with the players, he's played in finals and knows what the players are going through; he's got their confidence".
Madrid at full steam: "They finished the season well and they've had time to prepare for the final. It'll be an extremely intense game".
Could winning the Champions League take the shine off Barça doing the double? "If Madrid win the Champions League it will be a fantastic season, like Barcelona's or Sevilla's or Atlético's. It won't eclipse anything".
How would you rate Madrid's season? "If Madrid don't win the Champions League, you can't say their season's been a disaster. Their second half of the season was fantastic and they got to within a point of winning the league".