Tuesday night will see Real Madrid start defending their Uefa Champions League Title as the Reigning Champions. The opening game will be played at Celtic Park and will be the 6th official game of the new season as Real has already played the UEFA Super Cup vs Frankfurt and the first four games of of the new La Liga season. Carlo Ancelotti addressed the press in the media room at Celtic Park prior to overseeing the team's final training session ahead of the curtain-raiser vs Celtic, while looking to extend the team’s five-game winning streak since the start of the season.
As his men are more then ready for another great year in this major competition, the Italian coach had the following to say: "It's going to be a tough game, they're on a good run and are performing well. They play with great intensity. We know all about them, we're prepared and ready to make a good start to the group stage”.
He added: "Real Madrid always has been and always will be respected in this competition. Not only on account of last year's trophy triumph, but because of the club's history, which speaks for itself in this competition. We start our campaign with great enthusiasm, but we don't know how things will pan out. We have to get through the group and win it. We'll have to see what happens after the World Cup".
Celtic: "They're won't go changing their style and their approach out there. They're a side that like to attack. We aren't worried about defending because we're strong defensively. One of the keys last season was how well we defended. We have to attack and defend well. That's what we'll be doing tomorrow”.
Never tasted victory at Celtic Park: "It's proved to be a very tough stadium for my teams. I'm in no doubt about that. I've brought teams here several times: in the group stage, in the last 16.... It's a very tough stadium, but the atmosphere is amazing. I love it when my team plays in atmosphere likes this. I hope to finally get that win here".
The Champions League group: "It's not an easy group because we know the teams inside out. Celtic are performing very well and we have to respect them and the same goes for Leipzig and Shakhtar. You always get some surprise results in the early stages of the competition. Indeed, we lost at home to Sheriff last season. We respect the teams in the group and it'll be evenly contested".
Praise for Modrić: "He's a super player with a fantastic attitude. He's one of the best in Europe. He turns 37 in September and I hope I get an invite to his party. He's had no big injuries throughout his career and is one of the best midfielders in European football".
Starting line-up against Celtic: "I couldn't tell you who those who don't play as regularly are, but I may make changes. It may happen".
Fifth favourites with the bookmakers to win Champions League: "I'm not surprised that we're so far off it in the betting. I consider it to be a good sign because last year, our odds weren't as good and we won the competition. We're going to compete right until the end and hopefully we can be there competing in the final".
The effect of the World Cup in preparations: "I don't think we'll have any problems until the World Cup because the players are motivated to head into the World Cup in good shape. The question is what shape they'll come back in after the World Cup".
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