Ancelotti: "What Matters is that Florentino Hasn't Grown Tired of Me"

Aged 65 and with five Champions League titles as a coach, Carlo Ancelotti fears nothing, especially not a first-leg quarter-final match, despite Real Madrid's inconsistent form and their visit to Arsenal at the Emirates in London. He jokes when asked if he sees his team capable of lifting trophies and if there is a sense of fatigue surrounding the Reggiolo coach's presence.

Will there be titles?: "I think so, otherwise I wouldn't be here and would consider a vacation. We have to try, and if it goes well, we win; if not, we think about the next season," explained the Italian. "I don't know if they're tired of me, maybe, but what matters, the most important thing, is that the most important person (Florentino) hasn't grown tired. He is the one who can change the dynamics," he quipped when pressed about the doubts he generates.

Ancelotti dismisses criticism with the argument that "there's a match every three days" and focuses on "preparing well for this game, important but not decisive because there will be a return leg at the Bernabéu, and knowing how to execute it against a rival that does many things well: pressing, possession." In his view, the key to success lies in acting with "courage, personality, which means being motivated." "It's very difficult to always demand 100% because it's impossible. We've had many injuries, and it's been hard to rotate more, but the team is physically very good, and we can plan a match with intensity," he added.

Carletto hasn't spoken with Vinicius after his poor performance against Valencia, including a missed penalty, and said he is convinced that "the Brazilian will have a great match tomorrow." He hinted that there will be a change in the penalty taker, with Mbappé likely to take over, and admitted he is unsure where to place Valverde, whether as a full-back or in midfield, because "he does many things well."

He downplayed the danger of Rüdiger and Camavinga being one yellow card away from missing the return leg, acknowledged the importance of set-pieces, both in defense and attack, and referred to his team's "experience" as a "very important value in this tournament." "Knowledge means you're not afraid of these matches, with this pressure. It's very important to have that experience of players who have played such matches many times. And it helps the young ones."

He appreciated the compliments from Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's coach, and returned them. "He's doing a fantastic job. He's brought this team to the top of Europe and, above all, has built a complete team in Europe. There aren't many teams like that."

He was obliged to comment on Norwegian Martin Odegaard, who couldn't establish himself at Real Madrid and is now a key figure for the Gunners. "The talent he has now, he already showed at 16. Then he had the character, the courage to leave and become one of the best in Europe. At Madrid, there was no room for him to show his quality, and he decided to play elsewhere, at one of the best clubs in the Champions League."