…The Real Madrid coach spoke after the Champions League final
Carlo Ancelotti spoke after Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, being interviewed on the pitch to say, “you can never get used to this, because it was difficult, more than expected. We suffered a lot in the first half, in the second half we were better, we had fewer losses. This is a dream that continues.”
Ancelotti on the recipe for success
“Having a good team, good players and a great club. Also, a club with a lot of history.”
Ancelotti on changes at half-time
“I pushed Vinícius because I think we were a bit lazy in the first half and they played how they wanted to play. They came out on the counter-attack and were very dangerous.”
Ancelotti on the difficulties Dortmund posed
“They were better in the first half. They played what they wanted to do, which was to defend and counter-attack. After that we were better. It was difficult. We defended set-pieces, which was their main threat. But then they also suffered in this way.”
Ancelotti on his hug with Kroos
“It’s a bit of a sad moment, but he wanted to finish like that.”
Ancelotti on Kroos’ retirement
“Kroos has finished his career in the best way. Everyone would like to retire like that. A fantastic career. We feel a lot of sadness but we have to respect his decision.”
Ancelotti on how he will celebrate
“A cigar. And Cibeles. “Tomorrow cigar, glasses, singing, dancing, we’ll do everything.”
Ancelotti on his half-time team talk
“I didn’t need to get angry, I just needed to clear things up a bit. It was clear how Dortmund wanted to play, they played very well and we had to have balance to handle this transition. Changing the system was better for us to give a bit of concentration to the midfield. Things turned out better, the attitude in the second half was better.”
Ancelotti on character
“This season we have had a lot of problems and we have made up for it with commitment and collective sacrifice. Today we won in the same way. One of the two is not enough. I’m very satisfied with this squad, because we never gave up, we always fought. In the dressing room we were calm. We discussed the change of system together, I didn’t make the decision alone. I said it, they agreed and we did it.”
Ancelotti on Toni Kroos leaving
“We are grateful, obviously. We finished at the top. It’s not possible to finish higher. He had the balls to finish. He is very happy. He’s a legend of this club. The Madridistas thank him for everything he has done. Not only in the game, but in his attitude and his professionalism. In the 10 years he’s played for Real Madrid he hasn’t missed a day. We have told him: ‘We are waiting for you. If you want, we are here.’”
Ancelotti on working with his son Davide
“Emotionally it’s very good to have an assistant who is your son, it’s the truth, it’s a family. This Madrid is a football family where everyone works and there is a very healthy atmosphere. Working in a family is much better than working in an industry. We feel at home when we work day to day in Valdebebas. It helps me a lot because he can tell me things that others can’t tell me.”
Ancelotti on his most memorable moment from the season
“You often ask me for a mark. I give myself 10 this time. This season is a 10 out of 10 season because we have managed it very well and my players have been fantastic.”
Ancelotti on handling Dortmund
“In football, when you let them off the hook, the risk of conceding and losing the lead is very big. Honestly, they played better than us and had their chances in the first half. In the second, when we started to play better and have more balance we won the game.”
Ancelotti on fans thinking about a 16th European Cup
“That’s how it is… I’m very happy, very happy. Everyone is waiting… This is the ninth final in a row that Madrid have won. The danger of not winning it was real. Dortmund were a very uncomfortable opponent. Something is going to happen… We have lost a very important player but there are others who can replace him. We will think about this, but we will adapt to the characteristics of the players we have. We have the resources to be competitive.”
Ancelotti on avoiding complacency
“There’s no danger of us having a full belly here, this club requires us not to think about it. We are going to enjoy another fantastic day tomorrow with our fans. We’ll come back with the same desire and the same enthusiasm we’ve always had.”
Ancelotti on his next target
“To try to do my best at all times. This competition has given me incredible, fantastic happiness, as a player and as a coach it has brought me fantastic moments. We have to keep trying. The goal is to continue. I’m lucky to be at the best club in the world.”
Ancelotti on a successful return to Real Madrid
“Really, it was difficult to think that we could do it like this for three years: win two European Cups and two league titles with a team that is changing little by little. But Real Madrid, the best team in the world, is changing. For me coming back has been a great gift, I’m enjoying it and I’m trying to get the best out of it.”
MANAGING MADRID
