UEFA Champion’s League Review: Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Carlo Ancelotti appears in relaxed mood in front of the assembled media on Monday

An understated Carlo Ancelotti conceded Real Madrid CF – who have won 11 in a row – are “playing well” ahead of the visit of Liverpool FC, again likely missing Daniel Sturridge.

• Carlo Ancelotti declares Gareth Bale fit to face Liverpool
• The coach is delighted with Madrid’s form: “We’re playing well”
• Madrid have won 11 in a row in all competitions
• Brendan Rodgers does not expect Daniel Sturridge to be fit
• Rodgers is undaunted despite mixed results: “It’s an opportunity, not a threat”

Possible lineups
Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Isco, James; Ronaldo, Benzema.
• Out: Jesé (knee), Carvajal (hamstring), Fábio Coentrão (knee), Illarramendi (unspecified), Khedira (unspecified)
• Doubtful: Bale (gluteus)

Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Lovren, Škrtel, Moreno; Allen, Gerrard; Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho; Balotelli.
• Out: Sakho (knee), Flanagan (knee), Suso (groin), Enrique (knee)
• Doubtful: Sturridge (calf)

Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid coach
We’re playing well. We know how important every match is. We are focused on the game against Liverpool. Every match is a test and a chance to improve or take a step back, but we are not afraid because I have a very professional team.

Fábio Coentrão, Jesé and Carvajal are not available. Illarramendi and Khedira aren’t either, but Bale is alright. I will decide tomorrow whether he will start against Liverpool.

Cristiano is a team player – he’s focused on the team, not on breaking records. It’s difficult to find new words for Cristiano. He’s fantastic.

Isco is playing very well. He has left a good impression because he’s professional and has a brilliant technique – that’s why every football fan wants to see Isco play. We still have time to talk about his contract extension – if the club agree with me, there will be no problem.

Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool coach
It’s a big week. We’re coming off the back of a disappointing result, but our confidence is high going into every game. We’re looking forward to the game – it’s an opportunity, not a threat. We’re in the hunt to qualify, it’s in our hands. We will respect our opponents – arguably the best side in the world at the moment – but we are also a quality outfit. We’ll see how [Daniel] Sturridge responds, but it’s highly unlikely he’ll play.

We’re playing against a team, not just Cristiano Ronaldo – he’s a great player and probably the best in the world. He’s been impressive for a number of years and has great confidence and enthusiasm, but it’s about the team. They work hard, they got a good win at the weekend. [Karim] Benzema, [Toni] Kroos, Isco, [Luka] Modrić are all good players too. It’s a team effort from Real Madrid, but Ronaldo’s a catalyst and outstanding.

We haven’t reached the speed and intensity of our normal game and that’s something I’m trying to find as a coach. We will return to that – the key is the pressure we put on higher up the field. We need that intensity in our pressing and passing. It’s our philosophy that got us here; I think our defence have come in for unfair criticism as for me it’s collective. It’s nowhere near as bad as people make out. We need to eradicate the errors.

source: UEFA.com