Carlo: I am Real keen to carry on

CARLO ANCELOTTI says Real Madrid can ill-afford to take their foot off the gas with a Champions League final with Liverpool on the horizon.

Real have already won the La Liga title ahead of tonight’s derby with Atletico Madrid.

But Ancelotti says there will no let up in the run-in with Liverpool awaiting in Paris later this month.

The Real boss said: “We are focused on doing our jobs. We need to try to stay sharp in the four games we have before the Champions League final.”

Ancelotti (above) is also in no hurry to retire from management as the 62-year-old looks to sign off the season in style.

Real’s La Liga crown is the 35th in their history and it also represents an incredible personal achievement for Ancelotti who has won all of Europe’s top five league titles as a manager.

Ancelotti said: “If everything goes well here, I would stay until I’m 80, why not? It’s an idea I have, the day I stop with Madrid, I can consider stopping. I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Looking for a better team in world football would be complicated.”

Ancelotti has also played down Gareth Bale’s absence during the club’s celebrations.

Bale is leaving at the end of the season but Ancelotti cited a back problem for his no-show.

The Italian said: “Gareth wasn’t there because he couldn’t move, not because he is distant.

“He had a back problem and it’s difficult to move when that happens.”

Meanwhile, rival boss Diego Simeone insists his Atletico Madrid side have “four finals” left to secure Champions League football next season.

He said: “The reality is that we are in a decisive situation, there are four finals left.

“We will face the derby in the best way, with great enthusiasm and try to evade everything that is being talked about around the situation.”

Atletico have already caused a stir prior to kick-off at Wanda Metropolitano by confirming they will not offer Madrid a guard of honour.

And Simeone added: “I have great respect for Madrid, who have just become champions – but we have more respect for our people who are with us all day.”