Carlo Ancelotti reckons the fans will be behind the team and help Real Madrid overturn the first leg deficit against Juventus on Wednesday.
Real Madrid face a stern test on Wednesday as they host Juventus in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. The first leg in Turin ended in a 2-1 victory for Juventus and now Real Madrid need to win at the Bernabeu to avoid elimination.
Speaking to the press ahead of Wednesdaya s game, the Italian looked positive and said that the team is focused and motivated to put a great show in the second leg.
Ancelotti said: “The team look focused, up for it and raring to put in a great semi-final to have the chance to play in the final again. It’s an important moment of the season, because we’re very close to playing in another final and going down in the history of the competition. We know that it’ll be difficult, but we we’re out to do everything we can to win.”
The Real Madrid fans, fondly known as the Madridistas, havena t exactly been happy. In the game last weekend against Valencia, the players (especially Ronaldo and Casillas) received some stick from the Bernabeu crowd. However, Ancelotti insists that the fans will help the team when they face Juventus.
He said: “All Madridistas will be together as one against Juve. The fans have helped us in a lot of situations, such as against Atl tico and Bayern. Tomorrow will be the same.a
The manager has called for his players to play with intensity and focus as there is no room for error.
“I ask them to play with intensity and be really focused, because there’s no room for errors. We have to look to play a quality match.”
Gareth Bale has had a tough time at the Bernabeu since the dip in his form at the turn of the year. There is a lot of speculation about the Welshmana s future at the club but Ancelotti is happy with the player and insists that Bale is also happy with the club.
“He has had a good season. Last year he scored at important times and it’s possible that this season he’ll have the chance to do the same. We’re happy with the season that he has had. I’ve spoken to him many times and he’s delighted to be here.”
In the first leg played in Italy, Ancelotti fielded Sergio Ramos in the midfield four. That move garnered a lot of criticism towards the Italian. However, the former Chelsea manager has still not ruled out the possibility of playing the Spaniard in the midfield again in the second leg.
Speaking about it, he said: “I don’t rule it out. It’s a possibility.”