Madrid, May 25: Carlo Ancelotti is the only coach to win titles in the top five European soccer leagues, and is a victory away from a record-fourth Champions League trophy.
Still, not even Ancelotti is immune to pressure, especially ahead of a Champions League final.
“For me, the toughest moment is three or four hours before the match. You are not feeling well, physically,” the Real Madrid coach said going into Saturday’s final against Liverpool in suburban Paris.
“I’m sweating a lot, have an accelerated heart rate, negative thoughts creep in. But fortunately, all that stops once the game starts. There’s no medication, no pills for that, you just have to hang on.”
A win on Saturday would put Ancelotti in a league of his own in European soccer with four Champions League titles. Only two other coaches currently have three – Bob Paisley, who won European Cup titles with Liverpool in 1977, 1978 and 1981, and Zidane, who won the Champions League with Madrid from 2016-18.
“It would be a huge achievement for me, but I know anything can happen in a final,” Ancelotti said. (AP)
