Real Madrid’s aging coach, Carlo Ancelotti, admitted that he felt nervous ahead of the Champions League match between his team and Manchester City.
Los Blancos will host the defending champions in the first leg of the 2023/24 Champions League quarter-finals. The plan is for an exciting duel between the two teams to be held at the Santiago Bernabeu, Tuesday (9/4/2024).
This is the third consecutive season the two clubs have met in the knockout stages, with Real Madrid achieving a remarkable comeback victory in the 2022 semi-finals, but Man City avenging that defeat in emphatic fashion 12 months later.
The match will be Ancelotti’s 200th as a manager in a competition he has won four times, but he knows it will not be easy.
In the press conference session before the match, Ancelotti reflected on his journey during his time in the Champions League competition. According to him, he still has great motivation to win the competition again.
“Yes, very nervous. A few hours before the match is the time when you have to feel nervous,” said Ancelotti.
“I thought a few days ago that defeat is suffering and victory is happiness, but it’s not like that. Victory is relief.
“You’ll be calmer and happier in the days that follow, but suffering is part of your job. It’s what keeps you alive. It’s fuel for me.”
The 64-year-old will face the manager considered the best of his generation, Pep Guardiola, who, after two previous successes with Barcelona, has now won three Champions League titles.
Ancelotti emphasized that he is not interested in comparisons.
“Guardiola is a great coach, I don’t really care what they think about me. I care about what my club thinks.
“But then again, Guardiola is a great coach and there is no doubt about it.”
Los Blancos looked different this season after they succeeded in recruiting English wonderkid, Jude Bellingham, who immediately had a tremendous impact in the Spanish capital.
“He’s had a very good season in the box,” said Ancelotti.
“Physically he is very strong and he helps us a lot in the defensive aspect and in the front line, to create space and provide movement.
“He is very mature. He is only 20 years old but he is very professional, very serious and humble.”
