Ancelotti: Madrid are back

Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Real Madrid are ‘back’ as they prepare to take on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Los Blancos were beaten by Barcelona and Sevilla within the space of three days only two weeks ago.

But since then, the Italian Coach’s side have beaten Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad and the German outfit.

And ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg, the tactician is adamant that his team are back to their best.

“[Are we back?] I think so, and I think we can finish the season in peak form,” he told a Press conference.

“The two defeats were very costly for us, but the team reacted well and they are in good physical and mental condition to finish the season well.

“You don’t need to motivate the players with this result in the quarter-finals. There’s no greater motivation than reaching the semis.

“We won’t change the set-up. Dortmund have 90 minutes to score four and we have 90 to score one.

“That’s the plan, and the sooner we get it, the sooner the tie is over.

“The balance between defence and attack will be vital but the idea we have on the pitch is always the same – to play attacking football because we’ve got so much talent up front.

“That said, when we need to defend we need to do it together.”

Ancelotti then commented on the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, who left training early on Monday with knee trouble.

“He’s had treatment, yesterday he had a low intensity work out. Let’s see how today’s session goes.

“The player is okay, he’s comfortable, with no pain. We’ll take the decision today.

“If he’s 100 per cent he’ll play and if not he won’t.

“He’s played every game he’s played because he felt fine. We’ve never taken a risk with him or any of the other players.

“It’s not hard. In my opinion he should play every game, so we have the same idea.

“The problem is that when he feels fine he wants to play. He’s very professional. He knows his body well. If he’s not ok he’ll tell you, no bother, and that’s how it was against Real Sociedad.”

Tags Ancelotti Borussia Dortmund
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