Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is happy his team are not being touted as favourites to win the Champions League.
The Spanish giants begin their European title defence against Celtic in Glasgow on Tuesday. However, they are not considered favourites to lift the crown this time, just like last season where they ended up stunning Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool en route to a record-extending 14th European Cup.
"It's not a surprise for me not being the odds-on favourite, I think it's a good sign," Ancelotti said in Glasgow on Monday.
"I think that last year we had even less probability in the statistics to win it. And we have an improved team this season. What happened last year will happen again. We are going to compete until the end and, hopefully, we will compete in the final."
While Ancelotti said that he will probably rotate his squad more often to keep players fresh during a packed calendar, he is still worried about the impact the World Cup — that kicks off on November 20 — will have on player as it will be right in the middle of the season.
"Until the World Cup I believe we won't have problems because the players are prepared and motivated. They want to get to the World Cup in good condition," Ancelotti said. "The question is how the players will return after the World Cup. We just don't know because it is a unique situation."
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior seemed upbeat during training in Glasgow.
The Brazilian forward scored the goal that clinched Real the Champions League title in May, and on Monday the club announced the player had acquired Spanish nationality, allowing Real to register another non-European Union player.
"Our Brazilian player Vinicius Junior took the oath of allegiance to the Spanish Constitution on Friday 2 September, so from that moment he also has Spanish nationality," said a Real Madrid statement.
Under Spanish Liga rules, there are limits on the number of non-EU players a club can register. Vinicius, 22, joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo and has 14 Brazil caps.
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Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 29, 2022. Reuters -
Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final. Getty -
Luka Modric kisses the trophy. Getty -
Marcelo lifts the trophy for Real Madrid. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring the only goal of the Champions League final against Liverpool. AP -
Real Madrid players celebrate after their victory in Paris. Getty -
Dejected Liverpool player Fabinho after the match. AP -
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates after the match. Getty -
Dejected Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid players celebrate after the match. Getty -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois celebrates winning the Champions League. Reuters -
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves from Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah in the second half. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores the opening goal. PA -
Karim Benzema scores for Real Madrid late in the first half but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. PA -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah fires a shot past Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. AFP -
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is shown a yellow card. AP -
A first-half shot from Liverpool's Sadio Mane beats Real keeper Thibaut Courtois but hits the post. Getty -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with teammates after scoring. PA -
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane sees his shot hit the post. Getty -
Vinicius Junior scores for Real Madrid. EPA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois catches a cross. AP -
Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid. Getty -
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on the sidelines. EPA -
Liverpool's Luis Diaz shoots at goal. Getty -
Real attacker Karim Benzema scores but the goal was disallowed. Getty -
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sees a shot saved in the first half by Real goakeeper Thibaut Courtois. Getty -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save from Mohamed Salah. Reuters -
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to cross the ball. Getty -
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. AFP -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois screams at his defence after Liverpool hit the post in the first half. PA -
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois under pressure from Liverpool's Jordan Henderson. EPA -
Liverpool's Sadio Mane reacts to a challenge from Real midfielder Casemiro. EPA
