Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident his side can overcome Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals.
The defending champions were drawn to face Juve after getting past city rivals Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals thanks to a late winner from Javier Hernandez at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Real have a poor recent record against Italian clubs and Juventus in particular. The Spaniards have lost three of their four previous Champions League knockout games against the Old Lady, with the one victory coming in the 1998 final.
Ancelotti, a former Juventus coach, is not unperturbed by the statistics. He said there were no easy opponents in the final four but is confident of Real’s chances of making the final.
“Juventus are a club with a legendary history who are returning to the semi-finals after 12 years,” he said.
“They are having a very good season and have practically won the Italian championship. That means they can focus more on the Champions League.
“We are confident that we can follow our dream, which is to reach another final after last year.
“We need Madrid to be at their best to win, we need the same side that played against Atlético with the same enthusiasm and desire.”
Real are back in La Liga action on Sunday when they travel to Celta Vigo. They are trying to keep their title hopes alive as Barcelona could be five points clear if they beat Espanyol on Saturday.
Madrid are1.62 to beat Celta Vigo, while the hosts are 5.50 to win and the draw is 4.00.
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