WEMBLEY: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has asked his players to enjoy the moment as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1.
Ancelotti will take over as manager with Real, who are looking to make it their sixth European crown in total, and third in a row.
“This is a week to have fun. Challenges, opponents … we will have fun until Friday. It is always a success to be in the final,” said the Italian in a press conference on Monday.
“We have a lot of confidence. As for the favorites, we don’t think about it. We have to play against a team that did very well to destroy PSG … Atletico Madrid. They showed commitment and attitude.”
After vacating the LaLiga title with four games to go, Ancelotti managed to give the players time to rest.
“The preparation for the big games is always the same, the excitement of being the protagonist in the most important game of the season,” Ancelotti said.
Three as a player, sixth as a coach. It’s always the same week: happiness and then anxiety. There will be fear, but I will enjoy it.
“The cold came on Saturday afternoon. It’s normal, it comes in every game and I have experience. They are in the Champions League.”
Ancelotti has yet to announce that he will be Real’s goalkeeper at Wembley.
Thibaut Courtois started four games after suffering a serious knee injury, but Andriy Lunin was Real’s hero as he scored a free-kick to beat Manchester City to reach the UCL four.
“Both deserve to play in the final. Lunin played brilliantly and Courtois, we all know his quality,” said Ancelotti.
