Real Madrid has several young players in their ranks with star power. England’s star boy Jude Bellingham has left Spanish football in awe since his big-money switch from Borrusia Dortmund last summer. The 20-year-old is in the squad with young but old Bernabeu guards Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, both of whom are just 23 years old.
French man Aurélien Tchouaméni is slightly older at 24 but he has his national teammate in the squad who is much younger, Eduado Camavinga, 21.
Speaking about his young stars, Ancelotti said, “In my career I’ve had a lot of young players but this group is really good in my opinion and it will be a great future for this club [and] for these players because they are really good.”
Commenting on the young players lack of experience ahead of the blockbuster clash with Manchester City int the Champions League, Ancelotti said they work well with the veterans in his squad.
“They have no experience but they have a lot of enthusiasm and we have a good connection between the veterans and the younger [players]. In the last two or three years, the connection from them was really good,” he said per Eurosport.
About the quarter-final match against Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions, he said it is a tough game but Real Madrid will always compete.
“City is always a tough game but as the last two years we can compete, we want to compete. Of course we want to go through because this club. We love this competition and we want to arrive at the end.”
Madrid lost last season’s semi-final to the eventual winners after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the Etihad. The first leg was a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu and Ancelotti hopes his charges can help avoid that situation this year.
“When we played in Manchester we were not in the game. Of course, we have worked to try an avoid this kind of situation that was not good for us.
“I think we had the time to prepare well for this game and I have a lot of confidence that the team can play to 100 per cent of our possibility.
“It is a difficult game, yes, maybe the most difficult game but we are going to play with a lot of confidence.”
When he takes on Manchester City tonight, Ancelotti will become the first person to manage 200 UEFA Champions League games. He spoke about the milestone and how special it is to be in this position.
“I could feel old but I feel young. I started as a player, winning the Champions League; as a manager, winning [the Champions League].