Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Thursday’s Copa del Rey opponents Atletico Madrid are the most difficult team in Europe to break down.
Los Blancos go into the second-leg Last 16 clash against their city rivals with a two-goal deficit following last week’s game at the Vicente Calderon, and Ancelotti knows his team will have to match Diego Simeone’s men in intensity.
“Atletico are the toughest opposition out there and it’s not just me that thinks that. Everyone in Europe feels the same,” the Italian told a Press conference.
“We know how we need to play against them. We must show intensity while keeping cool heads and have 90 minutes to get a result, so we’ve no need to rush things.
“Facing us is the best-organised team in Europe and we need to get our passing right. It has to be intense, although I don’t mean we must go in hard. It will be evenly matched as it always is.”
Ancelotti feels the fans inside the Santiago Bernabeu will also have a role to play if his team are to turn things around.
“I think the fans can help us. Firstly, because it’s a derby, as it’s very important to them as well, but also because we have to come back from a difficult scoreline.
“It’ll be a fantastic atmosphere to play in and we are looking forward to putting in a good performance and making it through to the quarter-finals.”
