‘I am confident because this is Real Madrid,’ Carlo Ancelotti said boldly ahead of his side’s Champions League semi-final second-leg against Bayern Munich.
The newly-crowned LaLiga champions have an undeniable hold on the trophy. They have won Europe’s top prize twice as many times as the second most successful outfit.
And Ancelotti is the only manager to get his hands on Ol’ Big Ears on four occasions. But standing in the opposing dugout on Wednesday will be a boss with an unblemished record in semi-finals, leading a team with only one chance to claim silverware this season.
Add in the continents top marksman, who has only failed to register a goal contribution in six Bundesliga games this season, and you have a finely poised match-up between two of European football’s elite.
Last week’s first-leg provided the excitement and drama many had hoped for and the upcoming Bernabeu clash is sure to keep the thrills coming.
Thomas Tuchel and Caro Ancelotti will be going head-to-head for the 11th time in their careers
Harry Kane (far right) calmly converted from the spot last week to put Bayern Munich ahead
Vinicus Jr grabbed a brace at the Allianz Arena to ensure Real Madrid go into the second-leg as favourites
Ancelotti vs Tuchel
The 2-2 draw in Bavaria was the 10th meeting of Ancelotti and Tuchel. The Italian manager has been one of Tuchel’s most frequent opponents. He has faced only five coaches more than the Real Madrid boss.
Tuchel holds a favourable record against his fellow former Chelsea manager; four wins, three draws and three defeats.
The German boss’ points-per-game of 1.50 is impressive considering the number of times he has gone up against Ancelotti. By comparison, Tuchel has managed only three wins against both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in 19 and 12 attempts respectively.
One of the most outstanding achievements of his career to date is his perfect record in semi-finals. Tuchel has reached the final four in seven different competitions during his career with Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea and he is yet to fail to advance to the final.
In fact, the 50-year-old has not experienced defeat in those 11 semi-final matches. But as Tuchel found out in 2022, when his Chelsea side were inexplicably beaten 3-1 in the quarter-final second-leg of the competition the Spanish capital – and as Ancelotti so confidently told reporters – ‘this is Real Madrid.’
To a lesser extent, ‘this is Ancelotti.’ The Italian reached another milestone in the competition this season, becoming the first boss to manage 200 games. That figure is more than a 100 more than Klopp, more than 50 more than Jose Mourinho and 12 clear of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder has won 114 of those encounters, another record. His side are also unbeaten in their 11 matches in the Champions League this season, winning eight and drawing three.
Tuchel suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit while Chelsea manager at the hands of Ancelotti and Madrid in 2022
The Italian boss went on to lift the trophy for a record fourth time after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool
Tuchel become a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021. His side beat Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid in the semi-final
Bernabeu factor
Ancelotti admitted that Bayern were the better team in the first-leg but Madrid’s knack of grinding out results provided the latest example of their Michael Myers-like ability in the competition. They cannot be killed.
‘We have this squad,’ Ancelotti continued in his Tuesday press conference. ‘I’m confident in the fans who will help us.
‘We think we’ve got it better, but Tuchel will think he does too.
‘These are similar clubs, they have great history and a lot of success in the Champions League. We respect them. They did better than us in the first leg.’
Ancelotti’s reference to the Bernabeu crowd is an important one. Most famously showcased during their unbelievable run to the aforementioned 2022 final, crazy things happen on Champions League nights in the home of the Spanish giants.
What is more worrying for Bayern is that Madrid may not need a crazy night when routine will do. Los Blancos are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season. They have failed to win only four of 22 matches on home soil.
Bayern are without a win in their last two away games in the Champions League.
Madrid clinched the LaLiga title last weekend and maintained their incredible home record with a 3-0 victory over Cadiz
Bayern suffered yet another defeat in the Bundesliga when they were bested by Stuttgart on Saturday
Key players
Last week in Germany, Vinicius Jr was the star man for the 14-time winners, scoring a brace which ensured the visitors head into this week’s clash as favourites. The Brazilian has now been involved in 31 Champions League goals since the start of Madrid’s triumphant 2021-22 campaign.
His second goal drew him level with Jude Bellingham as the club’s top scorer this season before the Englishman pulled ahead with an effort in Madrid’s 3-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday.
Bellingham and Vinicius are each enjoying remarkable campaigns, with the duo directly involved in 64 goals this season; 32 apiece. Fellow frontman Rodrygo’s numbers aren’t too shabby either.
He has notched 17 goals in all competitions, including five in the Champions League, and registered nine assists. The trio will be key for Ancelotti on Wednesday, as will the returning the Dani Carvajal who was suspended for the first-leg.
The Madrid boss confirmed that Andriy Lunin will continue in goal despite Thibaut Courtois returning from injury and keeping a clean sheet as Madrid clinched their LaLiga title.
‘The plan for a player coming back from injury does not change because of one game,’ said Ancelotti. ‘Courtois is doing well but he needs time to get back to his best self — he had an ideal game.’
As Ancelotti’s defensive injury woes clear, Tuchel has been faced with an untimely spate. Bayern’s weekend defeat by Stuttgart came with the added price of a serious ending ankle injury to Raphael Guerreiro and a knock to Eric Dier, which has made him doubtful for the game.
Though, at least Matthijs de Ligt is close to full fitness for the visitors and would be a welcome inclusion in their squad.
Bayern’s two goals last week came in a short blitz, first Leroy Sane powered a drive past Lunin before Kane kept his cool from the spot. The England skipper appears to be on a personal mission to end jokes of his empty trophy cabinet.
None can accuse him of not pulling his weight. Whether the likes of Sane, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala can perform will likely determine the outcome of the game.
Tuchel revealed that he told his players to embrace their ‘inner child’ ahead of the mouth-watering clash and he admitted the tie will likely be decided by the finest of margins.
Thomas Tuchel revealed that he told his players to embrace their ‘inner child’ on Wednesday night
Defender Matthijs de Ligt (left) is nearing full fitness, while in-form Jamal Musiala was a constant pest for Madrid’s defence in the first leg
Right back Dani Carvajal is set to return to the staring XI after missing last week’s clash due to suspension
‘It is important to connect with your own inner child.’ He told reporters on Tuesday. ‘When we were little we played these games in the garden.
‘So now we are here and that’s our chance to make it true. I think both teams have to endure defending and suffering when their opponents have the ball.
‘It is extremely difficult to steal the ball from Real Madrid. Both teams are very, very strong in the transition game. It gets very complex. You need luck and precision. Then everything is possible at this stage.’