Interview with Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid coach in the Champions League final against Liverpool | Champions League

As he prepares for his fifth UEFA Champions League final as coach, Carlo Ancelotti’s place in the competition’s history is already assured.

Should Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris, the 62-year-old would become the first coach to win the title four times, having done so with Milan in 2003 and 2007 and in his first spell with his current club in 2014.

With a league title already won, his famous management skills helped make his first season successful at the Santiago Bernabeu, but another European glory would be sweeter for the Italian, who also won the competition twice. Milan player.

before May 28th dateAncelotti spoke to UEFA.com about the encounter with Liverpool, player management and much more.

About Liverpool, the opponent in the final

In my career in the Champions League, we faced each other many times. The first time was in 1984, in the final in Rome. I didn’t play because of my injury. Then in 2005 s 2007 [cuando Ancelotti era entrenador del AC Milan] And of course the competition heated up during my time at Everton. Now we will meet again. They have a great team and it is difficult to face them. They play at a very high level, with great physicality, but it is a pleasure to play against them in the final.

[En la final de 2005] It was the best team I coached in the final. Unfortunately, in football there is this unpredictability that you cannot control. It is difficult to explain. It’s hard to explain how we scored two goals in one minute in the 90th minute against City. [en las semifinales]. These things happen and you have to accept them. You don’t have to think too much about it either. Football always offers you things [una oportunidad de redención]And it happened two years later [cuando el AC Milan venció al Liverpool en la final de 2007].

Liverpool – Real Madrid: the last minute

On Liverpool’s supposed “revenge”

Does Liverpool want to avenge the final that Real Madrid lost in 2018? Real Madrid is also looking for revenge for losing the final against Liverpool in [la final de 1981] Paris. I don’t think this means much. Two great teams will face each other, and the most courageous and personal team will win at the end.

As I said, [el Liverpool tiene] Lots of quality as a whole, with great density and well organized. It is one of the best teams. [Jürgen Klopp es] Fabulous coach. I have a good relationship with him. [Es] A great coach who brought new things to football with strength and offensive pressure [de sus equipos]. He does a great job.

Liverpool – Real Madrid: Final Preview

Good relationship with his players

I distinguish between player and person. I think showing your true face is very important when it comes to a relationship with someone based on respect: what they do and what they are. The player is someone who is lucky enough to play football, and I am lucky enough to be a coach. You have to distinguish between what someone does and what they are.

In his fifth Champions League final

I have thought about it. Yes, it has been many years since the first time. Football has changed and I know how to adapt to these changes. From the first final in 2003 until today, there have been many changes. They have been positive changes. Football is always a very interesting show and I adapt to changes because I am passionate about the sport.

How do you feel to win it? [Se siente] That you won the most important contest, that you did your job perfectly. Is winning it as a coach any different than as a player? Yeah. Feelings and emotions are different. They are stronger when you win as a coach. As a player you are part of the group that wins the title, but as a coach you have more responsibilities.

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