The Citizen (Gauteng)

Real hope to build on title momentum

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Madrid – As Real Madrid celebrated their La Liga title win, Carlo Ancelotti was already trying to direct momentum towards tonight’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Manchester City.

Madrid had beaten Espanyol 4-0 on Saturday and the players were celebratin­g at Plaza Cibeles after an open-top bus had wound its way through the city to the statue where players and fans always toast their biggest trophies.

“And now to Wednesday, yes we can!” Ancelotti shouted at the adoring crowd, who chanted back “si, se puede!”, “yes we can!”

Many had wondered whether celebratio­ns were appropriat­e or sensible, given how they were sandwiched between the two mammoth games against City, especially after Pep Guardiola’s side left Madrid needing to pull off another rescue act following the Spanish champions’ 4-3 defeat in the first leg.

Beyond concerns about recovery or fatigue, there were suggestion­s that dwelling on a 35th Spanish league title might reduce, even subconscio­usly, some of the need and desperatio­n to chase a 14th European Cup.

But Ancelotti was in no doubt that celebratio­ns, with all the positivity and energy attached, would help, not hinder, Madrid’s pursuit of another Champions League final.

“A celebratio­n is good for the mental side of things,” Ancelotti said. “We are profession­als. Tonight we all celebrate together. Tomorrow we train and Wednesday we have another important match. If during the celebratio­ns someone cuts their foot or a leg, okay, but that won’t happen.”

Madrid performed a similar routine before their sensationa­l comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. After thrashing Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu the Saturday before the return leg, Real Madrid’s players walked back out onto the pitch long after the final whistle, to applaud and absorb the chants of the fans, who were urging the team to believe a comeback was possible.

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