Carlo Ancelotti has said Real Madrid’s rich European history propelled them into the Champions League final and Evertonians will be rooting for him to beat Liverpool in Paris.
Ancelotti will become the most decorated manager in the history of the competition with a fourth triumph on Saturday. He shares the honour with the three-time winners Zinedine Zidane and Bob Paisley, whose Liverpool team defeated Real in the 1981 final in Paris. The Spanish champions have staged several extraordinary comebacks to reach their fifth final in nine seasons, against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, and their manager believes it is not in the club’s nature to accept defeat in Europe.
Ancelotti said: “I think we deserve to be in the final. First of all because of our quality, but quality alone isn’t enough in football nowadays. Talent alone isn’t enough. You have to combine that talent with everyone’s quality and come together to make a committed team. This club’s history has pushed us forward during tough moments and that is why we deserve to be in the final. As far as deserving to win it, we have to deserve it with our performance tomorrow. That’s the only way.”
The Italian, who guided Real to their 10th Champions League title in 2014, rejoined the club last summer after a brief spell with Everton and knows Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals will be fully behind him on Saturday. “I know the Evertonians will support us for sure,” he said with a laugh. “There is a big rivalry on Merseyside. I have a good memories of my time in Liverpool on the blue side and I’m sure they will support me tomorrow.”
The Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois warned Liverpool that Real’s pedigree in Champions League finals – they have won 13 finals and lost three – could be a factor in Paris. “We know that when Real Madrid play in finals, they win them,” said the former Chelsea keeper. “Now I’m on the right side of that.
“I played in my first Champions League final eight years ago [for Atlético Madrid against Real] but didn’t win it. Hopefully I can win this one. Some players are going for their fifth title but we all have the same desire to win.”