Real Madrid will have the Matchday 2 group-stage encounter against Sheriff Tiraspol at the Santiago Bernabéu (9pm CET) and will try to restart where they left with the same positive pace. After the victory in Milan against FC Inter, Real seems to have passed the most difficult test and the match against Sheriff seems easier. But however, this is Champions League and an experienced team like Real Madrid coached by an experienced boss like Carlo Ancelotti knows very well that there are no easy matches in Champions League, where every team gives 100% to get the points.
Ancelotti's team will face a team from the Moldovan League for the first time: Sheriff Tiraspol. They will be the 108th different opponent Real Madrid has faced in the history of the European Cup. For this special match Ancelotti has called the following players: Courtois, Lunin and Luis López as goalkeepers; E. Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho and Miguel as defenders; Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde, Lucas V., Isco, Camavinga and Blanco as midfielders; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Jović, Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Mariano as forwards.
In the buildup of the match against Sheriff, Ancelotti also spoke in front of the media in an online press conference. He stressed that Champions League is a tough competition and that every game deserves maximal attention. However he also said that the experience and the great history full of successes will surely give Real Madrid a slight advantage when compared to the other teams. The boss previewed the second matchday’s game in the following terms:
“It’s a Champions League game. We have to prepare properly for every Champions League game. We’re really looking forward to returning to the Bernabéu because we have really fond memories of this competition. Sheriff did well in their play-off against Dinamo and in their first match. They’re not a very well-known side, but they’re very well organised and we’re going to have to be fully focused because we need the three points to put us in a good position in the group”.
“Our motivation levels are always the same. This club has a special connection with this competition. For those of us who represent this club it’s special and that’ll be the case again this year. It’s a really tough competition, but this club is more used to winning it than others and that gives us a slight advantage”, the Italian coach added.
About the full-backs: “We’ve had some issues at the back with the injuries to Mendy, Marcelo, Carvajal and Nacho. We’ve changed the positions on some occasions and that changes things in tactical terms. Sometimes when we’ve played with an out-and-out winger like Rodrygo you don’t need your full-back to push up much and just need them to remain in their position. This may have affected the position of Lucas, who hasn’t played at full-back as much and more as a winger, like he did against Inter. If I need a full-back who will push on, I think Lucas is our best option”.
On Luka Modric: “I’m pleased with how he’s doing. He was out with an injury and has come back strongly. When you bring a player off in the 75th minute it’s not because they’re performing poorly, it’s because I wanted to add some fresh legs. He changed the whole complexion of the game against Villarreal. He did really well in the attacking midfielder role and stopped Capoué from playing. I brought him off because you’ve got to remember that he’s 36 and bringing him off a bit earlier can mean that he avoids an injury issue further down the line”.
When asked about the difference between his Real Madrid and ZIdane’s Real Madrid: “It’s difficult to say because the players don’t change much. I’ve got players who have changed a little. I don’t like to compare this team with Zizou’s side, but Zizou did things to the best of his ability. He won the Champions League three times in a row and I’d like to win another one”.
Is it difficult for two new centre-backs to gel? “Militão and Alaba are doing really well. We’ve played eight games and have kept clean sheets in three of them. We’re improving but it’s a collective responsibility and isn’t just down to the defence. Militão and Alaba have to get used to playing together, but they’ve got off to a good start”.
Criticism following Villarreal game: “I’m not surprised because I have to accept that criticism. If you were to ask me whether we got the approach wrong I might think that we did but I’d never officially admit to the fact. Criticism sometimes helps you to improve”.
On the chance that Kroos, Casemiro and Modric will play together: “It’s important that we have Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde, Asensio, Isco, Camavinga in the middle... and all of them will be useful this season. The tough thing isn’t naming a line-up in every game, the tough thing is if we didn’t have that kind of player. I’ve struggled in the past because I’ve rarely had a midfield with as much quality. I’d have to look back at my first spell at Real Madrid when I had Alonso, Di María, Khedira, Modrić…”.
A and B teams: “I haven’t got an A and a B team. I’ve got a very strong and competitive squad and in some positions I have to pick who starts the game”.
Benzema’s role with youngsters: “I don’t know whether they talk in private, but I’m lucky to be able to watch a professional player who is amongst the best in the world train day in, day out. He’s gracious and shows his commitment every day. That’s how lucky I am”.
Mendy’s condition: “He’s doing pretty well, we’ve now got two games and I think we’ll use the international break to get him back up to speed to be able to play after the break”.
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