Carlo Ancelotti has outlined his respect for tonight’s counterpart Antonio Conte, but admits the sooner Real Madrid secure qualification, the better.
Los Blancos can make certain of a place in the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday night with their Group B match in Turin against Juventus.
“It's going to be an interesting game,” considered Ancelotti in his pre-game conference.
“Juve have more difficulties than us in the group – this is a chance for us to seal qualification and the sooner you get that, the better.
“We need to rotate our team to have the freshest players on the field, with the most physical strength, and I don't think rotating is a problem although sometimes we lose our balance as a result and we need to improve this.
“We've been conceding too many goals and this is our problem. Everybody in the world knows how important the defensive work is, but we've scored 42 goals in 15 games, with an average of three goals a game.
“I think the three attackers I have are very interesting. [Raphael] Varane will play tomorrow because he didn't play on Saturday and will be fresh, then I'll choose between [Sergio] Ramos and Pepe to partner him.”
Ancelotti, who had a spell over a decade ago in charge of the Bianconeri, paid tribute to his compatriot currently in the Italians’ dugout.
“Conte has done an extraordinary job. He is working at a club which he feels particularly strongly about and in these three years, he's done more than anybody could have possibly imagined, winning the title twice.
“He's got a very competitive side.”
The Coach was asked of the comparisons in the build-up to the game between the two teams’ midfield playmakers Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso.
“They are great players, both very fast and intelligent. I've been lucky to have worked for clubs with players like these. I've been lucky to have Pirlo at Milan and now I'm very lucky to have Alonso.”
