- Madrid to face Dortmund in final
- Ancelotti aims to seal club’s 15th title
- Coach revealed his pre-match routine
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ancelotti, 64, has stated he will be indulging in his usual pre-match meal – salmon and pasta – before the upcoming clash against Dortmund on Saturday. The Italian will then hope to take a nap prior to kick-off, as he looks to recuperate before giving his team talk to the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID
Madrid boss revealed his pre-match routine ahead of the final, telling reporters: “I like to eat. Salmon and pasta. And then an hour-long nap, if I’m able (laughs). Before the team talk, the heart begins to rise to 120 beats and is there until the start of the game, when it begins, it returns to its normal rhythm.
“We are going to focus on offensive and defensive work. The important thing is to have clear ideas of what to do. I have to give information to the players so that they are clear about what to do. For them it is the best way to relieve stress, you don’t think about other things that can stress you out.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Madrid reached the final after beating Bayern Munich in a dramatic two-legged semi-final. The first meeting between the two sides finished 2-2 in Germany before a late brace from substitute Joselu guided Los Blancos to a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Ancelotti’s side will now face Dortmund in the final, after the Bundesliga giants progressed past Paris Saint-Germain in their respective semi-final.
WHAT NEXT FOR ANCELOTTI?
The game between Madrid and Dortmund will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. It will mark the final fixture of the 2023-24 season for Ancelotti, who will look to secure the trophy for a fifth time as a manager. He lasted lifted the coveted Champions League trophy back in 2022, after Vinicius Junior’s goal guided Madrid to a 1-0 win against Liverpool in Paris.
