Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that Atletico Madrid are Real Madrid’s “worst-possible rivals” in the Champions League final and “only need half a mistake to kill you”.
The capital clubs are preparing for a second European final in three seasons, with Real running out 4-1 winners after extra time against Atleti two years ago, but Ancelotti – who was in charge of Los Blancos during the latter – believes Diego Simeone’s troops pose a significantly-tougher threat this time around.
“It’ll be a very intense and hard-fought match,” the Bayern Munich boss-elect wrote in his column for Sina Sports.
“Atletico Madrid are [Real’s] worst-possible rivals. Atletico only need half a mistake to kill you.
“Not only [are Atleti the worst rivals for Real] because they’ve consecutively eliminated Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but because in clashes between the two teams in recent seasons, Atletico Madrid have created them many problems.
“It wasn’t long ago that Atletico defeated Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Only if they are all committed to defending can Real Madrid minimise the errors possibly exploited by Simeone and his players.
“They must learn how to respond to [Atleti’s high pressing] and can do so by constantly driving the ball up-field and improving their passing accuracy.”
