Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in an attempt to beat the rivals and make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Real Madrid face one of the most testing games of the season on Wednesday as they face Atletico Madrid in the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Bernabeu. The first leg at the Vicente Calderon ended 0-0 and a win on Wednesday will be enough for either team to make it to the semi-final.
Real Madrid will be missing the services of Bale, Benzema and Modric through injuries and Marcelo through suspension. The absence of these players is a big worry for the European champions but Ancelotti is calm and has shown faith in the squad available at his disposal.
Speaking to the press, ahead of the match, Ancelotti said: a I have the best squad in the world and it is important to focus on the players who are going to play and not on those who are not playing. We have to learn to live with injuries. It happened to us in important games last season. This is not going to harm our confidence because the squad is good and is really going to go for it.a
Ancelottia s side have faced Atletico Madrid seven times this season and they havena t been able to beat them yet. When quizzed about Real Madrida s previous performances against Los Rojiblancos, Ancelotti said that they could not beat Atletico due to their strong defence.
He said: a We have not beaten them this season because Atletico are a very strong side with one of the most solid defences in the world. It is difficult to score goals against them.a
When asked whether Wednesdaya s game will be the toughest of the season, Ancelotti played down the pressure on Real Madrid dubbing the match as difficult as any other quarter-final.
He said: a I don’t think so. It was more difficult to go for a comeback as could have happened in the Copa del Rey. It is a difficult game like the other quarter-finals. We are playing at home in order to reach the semi-finals and this is a good opportunity to do it.a
Atletico Madrid travel to the Bernabeu having kept a clean sheet in the first-leg at home. While the clean sheet is a positive thing for the away side, they have to avoid defeat in the second-leg to make it through to semi-final. Playing at the Bernabeu, containing Real Madrida s attackers will be a tough task for Simeonea s men.
Simeone feels his team have no pressure but they have a responsibility on Wednesday.
Simeone said: a Neither team is pressured. The pressure, as we always say, is another thing in life. We have our responsibilities and I don’t think that one has less than the other. Each one will play with the weapons and the needs the match entails.a