Carlo Ancelotti has said Real Madrid have to keep a clean sheet in the first leg of the semi-final clash with Atletico de Madrid.
The two capital sides go head-to-head at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight in the mouth-watering tie, and the Real boss said in his pre-match press conference it was imperative Los Blancos were tight at the back if they are to stand a chance of making the final. His side have only conceded one goal in the last nine matches since the turn of the year.
“It’s a knockout tie and we have 180 minutes to win it. Keeping a clean sheet at home will be very important and they’ll play a really intense game with reduced spaces on the pitch, so we’ll have to play quickly. We’ll have to be at our best and play confidently,” Ancelotti said.
The Italian’s side already lost to Diego Simeone’s team in La Liga at the Bernabeu this season, and of course, lost the final on the same ground last May. Ancelotti called in his players to fight for each other, and to show the passion and determination needed to win such an intense city derby. And he warned his players Atletico will be up for the match too.
“Atlético are perfectly organised on defence and are very good at using the break. They have kept the same quality in their organisation but have even more confidence. I like how organised they are because they’re very solid, compact and play well on the counter-attack. The derby is one of the most important matches for both clubs and a Real Madrid-Atlético is always important,” he told journalists.
