Carlo Ancelotti claims to see the final against Liverpool in the Champions League as a derby because he still remains an Everton fan.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will have a score to settle against Liverpool in the Champions League final in Paris.
“I’m delighted to be involved in another final against a great team in Liverpool. I played against them as a player and as a manager I faced Liverpool in 2005, in 2007 and I was in Liverpool for two years. For me it is like a derby because I still am Everton fan,” Ancelotti said.
The La Liga winner got a late victory to see off Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the semi final of the Champions League last night.
Real Madrid went into the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu with a goal disadvantage and even conceded a goal in the second half of the game.
Rodrygo came in and made a turn around for the team scoring 2 goals in the late minutes of the regular time before Karim Benzema’s penalty send them into the final.
“It’s not so easy to explain. When everyone thought the game was finished it came down to just one fine detail, a good combination and a goal by Rodrygo. We put all our energy into it. You need a bit of luck to win these types of games though.
“The opposition were strong. The game was very complete and the team didn’t give up. After Manchester City scored it became much more difficult, but we were committed. We were lucky and had the energy. The changes helped. The players gave everything because it was such an intense game. We pressed well high up and City played the way they always play, but it worked out well.”
Speaking ahead of the final game against Liverpool Ancelotti said: “I know Klopp very well. We’ve crossed paths many times and I have the utmost respect for him, his coaching staff and his teams. I have immense respect for him, it’s going to be a fantastic final between two teams with different attributes. It will be a very closely-fought final”.
