Real Madrid are working without worries about injuries to the final of the Champions League, against Liverpool on Saturday in Paris. Defender David Alaba has resumed group training and according to trainer Carlo Ancelotti often injured forwards Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are also ready to play.
“Eden is coming back from injury, but he is eager and motivated. He is training and can play the final, just like Bale,” Ancelotti said on Real’s press day. Hazard was sidelined for weeks due to ankle surgery, Bale due to back problems. The 32-year-old Welshman has an expiring contract and will leave Madrid this summer. Bale has already won the Champions League four times with Real and, as a substitute, decided the 2018 final against Liverpool with two goals, the first with a bicycle kick (3-1).
The Spanish champion eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, defending champions Chelsea and Manchester City on the way to the final. Both against PSG and City, Ancelotti’s team fought back from almost beaten position. “Still, the quarter-final against Chelsea was the toughest,” said the Italian. “Then we had to defend a lead in the return. The mental aspect weighed heavily. We had to win the return against Paris Saint-Germain and City, that made it different. We didn’t reach the final because we played so exceptionally well, but because nobody could beat us in dedication, determination and motivation. Do we deserve to win the Champions League? We have to show the same commitment and motivation in the final, only then can we win.”
Ancelotti has already won the Champions League three times as a trainer; in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan and in 2014 with Real. The Englishman Bob Paisley (with Liverpool) and the Frenchman Zinedine Zidane (with Real) also won the most important European cup tournament as a coach three times. Ancelotti (62) can become the first with four overall victories. “If I stop, I’m going to look at statistics. Now that’s not important to me at all. I don’t look at individual prizes, it’s about the team.” While playing for AC Milan, the Italian also won the European Cup 1 twice.