Ancelotti’s calm before the storm: Real Madrid ready for Dortmund challenge

Early this morning in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex was abuzz with activity. Carlo Ancelotti faced the press one last time before Los Blancos embark on their trip to London for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1. It’s a familiar stop in Madrid, but the air was heavy with the weight of expectation and echoes of past glories.

Ancelotti, always the calm maestro, found a balance between respect for the opponent and confidence in his team. “Dortmund are a team that are good in transition, they have a mix of youth and experience. Against PSG I was surprised by their attitude and their fight to reach this final. This is what worries us the most,” he remarked.

Real Madrid’s road to the final was paved with resilience, individual genius, collective defensive combat – a journey marked by tactical ingenuity, but above all, by game management on the fly. Ancelotti stressed the importance of this mix against a team that can do more than one thing at a high level: “Dortmund are a great team in transition. They have a very compact defensive block. I’m not saying they’re like us… but they master all aspects well. This will be a competitive and hard-fought match. Whoever does all these different things best will win.

This season’s narrative has also been about harmony between young talent and the “old guard.” Veterans like Kroos and Modric continue to be the mainstays of the experience, while young talents begin to make their mark. “The veterans in the team are the example,” Ancelotti said. “This is a generation of commitment and positive attitude and veterans have contributed and continue to contribute to that. There are young people who are starting to take more responsibility and the club is doing well in managing the transition, because the players who have arrived have understood what Real Madrid is.

A poignant moment in the press conference came when Ancelotti spoke about Toni Kroos, the midfield maestro who will don the white shirt for the final time. Will his legacy change depending on the result against Dortmund?

“This will be Kroos’ last match and I hope he can end his career in Madrid with a Champions League,” Ancelotti said. “On an individual level he deserves it, but Kroos’ career doesn’t change with another Champions League. He has already contributed. He made Madrid history and would never join another club after that. Ending with the Champions League would be best, but Kroos is already in football history.

Amid the tactical discussions and emotional reflections, Ancelotti also touched on the practical aspects of team selection and preparation. The mention of Arda Güler made the manager smile. “Is Arda Güler playing in the final? Obviously he can be very useful during the match, because he has a scoring streak. He has a 100% success rate and it is an option that we have,” he noted, although, despite the words, the young Turk is unlikely to be present.

In the backdrop of these discussions was the ever-present theme of unity and atmosphere. Ancelotti, with his usual blend of wisdom and warmth, emphasized the importance of a harmonious dressing room. “I’m not a psychologist, but I have experience,” said the Italian. “As I said, the personal relationship is the most important thing. I’m not just talking about technique and tactics, but also about personal issues. You need a good atmosphere to have a good group. This philosophy has been at the heart of Ancelotti’s success, fostering a feeling of family within the team that often translates into magic on the pitch.