Carlo Ancelotti has said his Real Madrid side “have the quality to take risks” has they look to overturn a one-goal deficit against Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg.
The Spanish side lost a thrilling first leg 4-3 in Manchester as they look to secure their first final spot since 2018 and have shown plenty of fight to come from behind in both their previous knockout games against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
And Real are flying high this week after clinching a 35th La Liga title at the weekend following their 4-0 win over Espanyol, sparking scenes of jubilation in the Spanish capital as the players rode an open-top bus to greet thousands of fans at the city's Plaza Cibeles.
But now attentions turn to the second leg at home to City and Ancelotti insists they will need more than just character to defeat Pep Guardiola's side.
“If we sit deep, we won't concede 99 shots and if we get into their box they are going have a go at us but sometimes you have to take risks,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
“In these games we have scored a lot – four against PSG, five against Chelsea, three against City – so we have the quality to take risks.
“The players are looking good. We know it is going to be difficult, but we feel confident. We do have a little bit of a disadvantage, but that is something we will address tomorrow.
“We will see a great game between two great teams with great players, but they are also different teams. Whenever you make it to a final or win a final, it’s not something you can do out of heart and motivation alone. That’s not enough. If we win, it will be out of collective commitment and individual qualities.”
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Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is confident the team is ready to continue their mission to win a 14th European Cup and will not be affected by Saturday's celebrations.
“We really wanted to go to Cibeles because it had been a long time since we could celebrate a title with our fans,” the Croatian said. “We enjoyed it but as soon as it ended, we were focused on tomorrow's game.
“It was a beautiful day and that's it, the season is not over. We are very confident that we can come back, because we know that in the first match we did not play our best game and we still scored three goals.
“We have the quality and character and the history of this club, having the most Champions League titles, also makes a big difference.
“We have to play this game with a little faith and a lot of aggression and energy we have to show everyone that we are Real Madrid that we are the best team in the world. That is what we have to bring tomorrow.”
Ancelotti confirmed that defender David Alaba misses the game through injury and will be replaced by Nacho. But Casemiro is fit again, handing Madrid a significant boost in midfield.
“Casemiro will help us,” Ancelotti said. “His return reinforces us defensively. I think we are going to see an improvement from the first leg.”
How City and Real reached the semi-finals
![GROUP D: September 15, 2021 - Inter Milan 0 Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 89'). Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It's a very important victory. The team had a great attitude and thanks to [goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois, we have kept a clean sheet." AP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EB7JFU4E7N2W6IVXSBY3RXLVYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=55a935c10eb795d613d9e316c6c958bffef7f78093fd42e09da8b00a14db7cdd&width=800&height=533)
![GROUP A - September 28, 2021: Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Gueye 8', Messi 74') Manchester City 0. Guardiola said: "Good performance. We did everything except score. They defended deep and were dangerous with counter-attack. The [Messi] goal was fantastic." Getty](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BECI3YTW6GGDLL33S7X3W2MVBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=70b66b9563fc42e04542ab53f112c415d870c7669c345704fb2e7b5c7bd78c5b&width=800&height=533)
