Real Madrid prepare for Champions League defence, but not as favourites - in pictures
Carlo Ancelotti's team begin European campaign against Celtic in Glasgow on Tuesday
Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Eder Militao (L) and Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior (R) laugh at they attend a team training session at Celtic Park in Glasgow on September 5, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Celtic. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
Real Madrid's midfielder Luka Modric during training at Celtic Park in Glasgow ahead of their Champions League opener on Tuesday. AFP
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema trains for the Champions League opener against Celtic. AFP
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during a training session at Celtic Park. PA
Luka Modric with his Real Madrid team-mates during training in Glasgow. PA
Toni Kroos trains ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League match against Celtic. Getty
Former Read Madrid star Roberto Carlos at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Getty
Karim Benzema during Real Madrid's training session in Glasgow. Getty
Vinicius Junior during training at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Getty
Real Madrid train for their Champions League opener against Celtic. Getty
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.
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