Ancelotti: “We need to play with a lot of intensity and pace against Borussia”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press one day ahead of the first leg tie in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The Italian analysed the encounter against Borussia Dortmund: “The team is doing very well and we'll need to play with a lot of intensity and pace. We are also missing important players so things will be pretty even in terms of injuries. They'll be without Lewandowski, but their playing style is always the same: compact and with dangerous transitions. They are dangerous on the break and that will be important factor in this game. We will try to play an attacking game because we need a positive result, but will be cautious with respect to them counter attacking”.

“The atmosphere around the team is good. We are looking forward to this match and will be 100% up for it. We are motivated and everyone knows how important this competition is for us. When I talk about excitement I don't just mean the players and the club, but also the excitement felt by all of Real Madrid's fans. Tomorrow the atmosphere will be very good and that will help us”.

Last year's encounter
“I watched the games and they were very strange because in the first leg Real Madrid controlled things well in the first half, but then what happened in the second half was just incredible. After that a comeback was always going to be difficult because it isn't easy to score three goals against a team like Borussia. That's the Champions League for you”.

Marcelo's injury
“We've had a slight problem with Marcelo, but Coentrão is fresh and has experience at this level. We can replace him without any complications. It won't change anything because both players can do the same job”.

Bale as a replacement for Marcelo
“That is not an option. He'll play further up the pitch. We don't have a lot of options, but saying that Nacho, Ramos and Varane can all play at full back as well. He's been a bit in and out, but that's one of the characteristics of a forward and a player of his ability and pace. Bale isn't like Xabi Alonso, whose game is based on resistance. His rotation has nothing to do with his aptitude as a player but rather his fitness”.