Ancelotti: Real Madrid in good shape ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that his Real Madrid team are in good and motivated mood ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg semi-final Copa Del Rey clash against Barcelona 

The first leg semi-final fixture between both sides ended 1-0 in the first leg in favour of Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu, and having lost the last three fixtures between both sides, Ancelotti knows that his team needs to win even if it has to be at Camp Nou to get to the final of the Copa Del Rey.

The Copa Del Rey is the only other competition aside from the UEFA Champions League that they can win as they currently lag 12 points behind Barcelona on the La Liga table.

The Los Blancos are on track to defend their UEFA Champions League title as they are in the quarterfinal, where they will face Chelsea in the quarterfinal.

“We’re feeling good, motivated, and confident after the good performance against Real Valladolid. We believe we’ll have a good game tomorrow. They have a goal advantage. We can’t go crazy in search of the goal. You could score in the fifth minute, but then concede two. Or you could score in the 90th minute. Our approach is to have a complete performance, not to score goals. If you have a complete performance, the goals will come. This is an important competition, and we’ll give our all to make it to the final.” Ancelotti said.

After Wednesday’s Clash, Real Madrid will face Villarreal in La Liga before hosting Chelsea at Santiago Bernabeu next week. Meanwhile, the first semi-final between Athletic Club and Osasuna ended 1-1 on aggregate.

The first leg ended 1-0 in favour of Osasuna, while Athletic Club returned the favour to force extra time. After a late extra-time goal from Pablo Ibanez, Osasuna moved into the final of the Copa Del Rey, awaiting the winner of Wednesday’s El Clasico.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu