Real Madrid braced for Chelsea quarter-final tie in Champions League

This Wednesday evening, at the beginning of April in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid have a date with the competition that moves them against an English opponent that they know very well. For the third time in three seasons, Madrid face the Blues of Chelsea, whom they eliminated last year after being ousted by the same team in the semi-finals a year earlier. One all, centre ball. Play on, gentlemen.

The Londoners may not be in the best of shape going into this quarter-final, but Carlo Ancelotti's players are smiling and feeling confident despite being 13 points behind Barcelona in the league. "The group is doing well and we've come at an opportune time to play Chelsea," said the Italian. In this first leg, the plan is for the Spaniards to give everything to try and gain the best possible advantage for the return leg at Stamford Bridge. While Manchester City, the potential opponents of both teams in the semi-final, put a 3-0 to Thomas Tuchel's Bayern last night, Real Madrid will try to emulate the Cityzens' performance.

European champions on a mission

When Real Madrid play in the Champions League, this team has to do everything it can to bring home the title. Although punters, journalists and football observers would never say that this team is the favourite on paper, the reality is quite different. Something that was seen last year. This year again, the Spaniards are not the favourites on paper to win their 15th European trophy. And yet, we know how capable Madrid are of doing it.

"The group is having fun, but they know how to be serious when they need to be. For me, it's fantastic to manage these players. This team can win any title it wants and if we win the Copa del Rey we will have won all the titles in two years. I'm not going to be able to win them in a lifetime," said Ancelotti yesterday in the press conference room.

We have to take advantage of the fact that we have to win the title in two years," said Ancelotti, "and we have to win it in two years. "We have to take advantage of the fact that we are playing the first game at home to take the advantage for the return leg, which is the second leg. We want to play the full game: defend well, better than against Villarreal on Saturday, and attack if possible like we did at the Camp Nou on Wednesday." The intentions are clear, we will not be going for the jugular.

On a mission, but without pressure

"It's a different way of thinking from other Champions League games we've played in the past. It's a different way of thinking from the other Champions League games we've played in the past," he said, noting that last season Real Madrid had to manage their home games differently, playing them all away from home. The story begins differently this Wednesday, but the team wants to think positive and knows it has enough experience to overcome this kind of test.

Ancelotti was all smiles yesterday morning and did not seem to feel the slightest pressure. He knows that this is his competition, having won six of them in his career (two as a player and four as a coach), and that it is Real Madrid's (the most successful club in history with 14). The pressure, if there is any, will inevitably be more on the opponent's side, because the Madrid players love it and know how to handle it.

"If you look at the history of Real Madrid, the pressure is very high. We know that, but we like this kind of pressure and we like to handle it. Real Madrid is a special club, the best club in the world, and we have to deal with that pressure," said David Alaba. "The goal is to reach the semi-final. We have to work well. This year it's different, because we play the first leg at home and the second leg away, but we know what we can and must do in these two games. We are very confident and we are working every day for that.

Antonio Rüdiger admitted in an exclusive interview with MARCA on Monday that he and his teammates see "fear in the eyes of Real Madrid's opponents in Europe". It is an undeniable advantage when the anthem of the Cup with the big ears resounds in a sports stadium a few minutes before kick-off. Ancelotti and his staff will be counting on a 99 per cent complete squad for tonight's match. Only Frenchman Ferland Mendy is missing. Real Madrid, in search of a 15th title, have another date with history in their umpteenth European springtime.