Ancelotti: "The Champions League final is the biggest game of the year and the most beautiful to be involved in"
“This team's greatest qualities are their competitive edge, discipline and ability to overcome any obstacle," the coach told the UEFA media outlet.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to UEFA with just over a week to go until Real Madrid play in the Champions League final. The Italian coach assessed the big day, that will see our team go head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley: “I try to live in the moment and right now, it's a pretty good moment. There will be time for worries, but the aim is to postpone that for as long as possible. We have to enjoy this time, this amazing game, the biggest of the year and the most beautiful to be involved in."
“We're thrilled to be in another final. Borussia Dortmund deserve to be here, just like Real Madrid do. They are a solid, compact team with some brilliant individuals."
His team's virtues
“The greatest quality the team has shown this year is their collective attitude, the focus and way the work as a team. I think that's what has made the difference this year, which has been fantastic despite the difficulties we had early on. We might say the greatest qualities this team has are their competitive edge, discipline and ability to overcome any obstacle."
Never give up
“It's hard to explain what a player feels when they pull on this shirt. It's the history and tradition of this club. This group of players feels something special, being at Real Madrid, and that helps us bring out that extra energy nobody expects."
The secret to his longevity in the dugout
“First and foremost I'd say two things: passion and not obsession. I think obsession is an illness and fortunately, I'm not obsessed. Passion comes through, that's what helps me keep going."
His coaching philosophy
“I believe strongly in the players' creativity when they have the ball and I don't like to make them obsess over predefined shapes, I leave it down to their initiative. Of course we have to work without the ball, show commitment and focus, I will insist on those elements more from a tactical point of view. But creativity is fundamental, especially with players like ours who have such great talent."