ANCELOTTI IS ANTICIPATING A FIGHT FROM ANGE’S BHOYS

CARLO ANCELOTTI is wary of a Celtic team he expects to go down swinging in the Bernabeu as they play their final group match tonight. Despite having already secured their place in the last 16, his Real Madrid side need to beat the visitors to win Group F. While there are lingering doubts over the fitness of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Ancelotti will take no chances with his team selection this evening. ‘It’s an important game,’ said the 63-year-old Italian. ‘We know that our objective is to finish top of the group. We’re up against a team that plays at high intensity, we’re prepared, and we want to put on a top performance. We’ve got all the conditions to do so.’ Celtic performed well for an hour against the 14-time champions on matchday one in September, eventually falling to a 3-0 defeat after a midfield masterclass from veteran Croat Luka Modric. Expecting Ange Postecoglou’s men to come out with all guns blazing on a rare trip to one of European football’s great cathedrals, Ancelotti (below) added: ‘Celtic aren’t going to change their identity. They’ll play their game, with intensity, passion and quality. That’s what we’re expecting. It will be an open game and we want to be at our best. I have a lot of respect for this team. They’ve played well in a lot of games’. Celtic received a boost when Ancelotti ruled out French international midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. Star man Benzema missed the last two games — against RB Leipzig and Girona — with a muscle injury and, with the World Cup on the horizon, is unlikely to take any unnecessary chances. ‘Tchouameni won’t be available tomorrow and Benzema is going to train now,’ said the Real Madrid coach. ‘If he feels good, he’ll be in the squad. I’ll then have to see if he starts the game or comes on later’. Ancelotti’s side are a point clear of a rejuvenated RB Leipzig, while Shakhtar Donestk could also snatch second place and qualification to the knockout stages with a win over the German side in Warsaw this evening. ‘There are competitive teams that will finish second,’ added the Italian. ‘What’s most important is the prestige of this club. This is a special competition for this club and we have to respect every game.’ For Real Madrid, finishing second in the section would almost feel like an affront. Sending an ominous warning to Celtic, German international Toni Kroos was clear on tonight’s objective when he said: ‘The team needs a win. We’re motivated to get the win and finish the group in first

place. ‘We’ve got the team to do it. We need to put on a good performance, as always, to win in the Champions League’.