Carlo Ancelotti has spoken with respect for Atletico Madrid and their coach, Diego Simeone. The Italian Real Madrid coach expects two tough matches with Atletico, while he is convinced that the Champions League quarter-final team will be determined only in the second leg.
Real and Atletico meet on Tuesday at 21:00 PM at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League round of 12. The return leg is on March XNUMX at the Metropolitano.
This is considered the most interesting match of the Champions League round of 16.
Atletico qualified directly for the round of 16, finishing fifth in the league stage. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, the defending champions, advanced through the play-offs in the round of 16. In the knockout stage play-offs, they eliminated Manchester City.
Real Madrid won 3:2 in Manchester and 3:1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Our last memory at the Bernabeu from the Champions League is special and we want to repeat it. It will be very different from the match with Manchester City. Atletico is a much more vertical team, while Manchester City focuses more on possession. However, this will not change our style," Ancelotti said at a press conference on Monday.
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He said that they know it will be a tough match, and he feels that the challenge will be decided in the return match.
"We can't think about creating a big lead tomorrow. It's not possible because our rival is competing very well and the match will be close until the end," Ancelotti added.
He also spoke about the Madrid derby, saying that it has always been strong and that the two teams have consistently played strong matches.
"Atletico are having a very good season in all competitions. My first memory with Diego Simeone is from when I was a player. He scored a very important goal in the Juventus - Lazio match and scored an important goal in an important match that decided the race in Serie A. As a coach I respect him a lot, for the way he reads the game, the dedication he has for the team in the defensive aspect", added the Real Madrid coach.
Vinicius Junior also spoke at the press conference. He said that he is still experiencing extraordinary things with the Madrid shirt and that he is living the dream.
"I hope we can continue to do this. Tomorrow will be a big game, because the fans will be with us and the players are ready to play a big game. The derby will be a beautiful spectacle. We wait all season for these important games. I haven't played against Atletico in the Champions League, so I'm very excited," said Vinicius.
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In La Liga, Real Madrid has slightly lost pace with Barca and Atletico.
Ancelotti's team lost 2-1 to Betis on Saturday. They are now third with 54 points. Barcelona has 57 and Atletico Madrid 56.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone also spoke with respect for the opponent.
"It's a match with a lot of respect, against a great rival, who respects us in the same way. For the city of Madrid it's spectacular that two Madrid teams face each other. For Spain to have a team in the quarter-finals will be fantastic as well. We can enjoy this. It's a very important moment against a very respected rival. We are prepared for whatever comes," said Simeone.
On Tuesday there are three more matches of the Champions League round of 16.
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Arsenal – Atletico Madrid, Tuesday's derby in the Champions League
From 18:45 is the Club Brugge – Aston Villa match.
The Dortmund - Lille and PSV - Arsenal matches will also be played at 21:00.
