Carlo Ancelotti discusses Courtois selection and Real Madrid DNA before Champions League final

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of the 2023/24 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, confirming that Thibaut Courtois would start ahead of Andriy Lunin in goal. The Italian also touched on his team’s mentality and just what drives them on in Europe’s elite club competition, which they have won a record 14 times.

Carlo Ancelotti’s pre-match press conference before the Champions League final

What shape is the team in?

“We’ve had time to prepare for the match and I see a focused, determined, and confident locker room ready to face the most important match of the season. Much respect to the opponent and hopefully, everything will go well.”

How are the nerves? And what did you think of what Rodrygo (who recently called Manchester City the best team in the world) said?

“I’m happy to be here. It’s not the first time and hopefully, it won’t be the last. We’ve enjoyed the build-up, that’s all I have to say. Now, I have total confidence in my players, who will give their all, like Rodrygo, who has been, is, and will be important. No doubt.”

Courtois to start in goal against Dortmund

Will Courtois start tomorrow against Dortmund?

“Lunin has had the flu and will travel to London tomorrow. He’s fine. But tomorrow he’ll be on the bench, Courtois will play.”

Tomorrow, when you give the team talk, will it be more rational or emotional?

“The priority is to convey clear ideas to the players. Be as direct as possible because the more direct you are, the less nervous the team will be. I will focus on tactics. Emotions come later and everyone handles them according to their personality. Before the game, negative emotions will come, but fear is an important part of doing things well, we must remember that. We have shown quality and collective sacrifice. Both of those things will be key tomorrow.”

This will be your eighth Champions League final, but Real Madrid’s first at Wembley...what makes it special?

“Two reasons. First, playing this match, the biggest of the whole season and, as well as that, doing it in a historic venue. We are happy to be here and we hope to be at our best tomorrow.”

Real Madrid’s last-minute winners

Madrid’s never-say-die attitude in the final minutes of games... where does it come from?

“A complicated question. It depends. But there is something special about this club; it’s happened so many times it can’t be a coincidence. Maybe it’s history, tradition, quality...I don’t know, but it has happened many times and that means it’s not a coincidence.”

What is the difference between the Carlo Ancelotti of today and ten years ago?

“That I am 10 years older! (Laughs) But I still feel young, that’s true. The first time I was in a Champions League final was 10 years ago and in the years since then I have learned a lot. This generation of players is capable of doing great things... and there are still players who were here 10 years ago. It’s incredible if you think about it.”

“Fear” before the Champions League final

Does the outcome of tomorrow’s game define the whole season?

“Our obsession is to compete, to give our best in every match. Sometimes things don’t go as you want... but obviously winning the Champions League is very important. That said, the season has already been very successful, regardless of what happens tomorrow.”

How have you kept the team at the same level after Karim Benzema’s departure?

“It’s a matter of attitude and spirit. We’ve gone through moments in which the players have had the chance to step up and show what they can do. We see opportunities in those moments.”

Dani Carvajal said he senses “fear” in opponents when they play against Madrid in the Champions League...

“A final is the most important match, but also the most dangerous one. We have to really enjoy the fact that we are here, and we will do that, but then comes the worry that something might go wrong. When you feel you are close to winning a Champions League, you also have the fear that it might slip away. Each of us experiences and manages that in our own way. You have to do everything very well, without giving up, and with a bit of luck. When you reach a final, you feel that you are very close to being successful and that’s when the worry starts. Tonight, tomorrow morning, in the afternoon... a lot of worry and fear. But when you get past that fear, if you win, you are even happier about having achieved what you have achieved.”