“Ancelotti’s Bold Claim: We’re All In for the Champions League and Ready to Conquer!”

(ANSA) - ROME, March 11 - "We approach this match in good shape and as motivated as ever. It's going to be a tough game, and we know that, but we are confident we can progress in the Champions League, which is very important to us. This encounter gives us the opportunity to keep dreaming in this competition, just as we have in previous years. This season is a bit more challenging, but we retain the same belief to fight until the very last match," stated Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the return derby in Madrid between his Real Madrid and Atlético, where one of the teams will secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In the first leg at the Bernabéu, Real emerged victorious with a score of 2-1. "I remember all the matches against Atlético; they've always been fiercely contested," Ancelotti added. "Sometimes we’ve won, other times we’ve drawn, and occasionally we’ve lost. Tomorrow will be no different, and the outcome will come down to the smallest details. Simeone? I regard him as an exceptional coach, and we share many similar ideas. How will Atlético play tomorrow? They can approach it in various ways, as can we." Could this cup derby end up being decided by penalties? If so, how has Real Madrid prepared for that possibility? "If it comes to a penalty shootout, the mental aspect is more crucial than the technical side," Ancelotti replied. "I have won the Champions League with defenders who have scored penalties: Serginho, Nesta... You must take on the responsibility when you’re in good form." (ANSA).