Madrid channels feel-good factor for City clash

MADRID－As Real Madrid celebrated its La Liga title win, Carlo Ancelotti was already trying to direct momentum toward Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg against Manchester City.

Madrid beat Espanyol 4-0 on Saturday and the players were celebrating at Plaza Cibeles after an open-top bus wound its way through the city to the statue where players and fans always toast their biggest trophies.

"And now to Wednesday－yes, we can!" Ancelotti shouted at the adoring crowd, who chanted back "Si, se puede!" (Yes, we can!)"

Many had wondered whether celebrations were appropriate or sensible, given how they were sandwiched between the two mammoth games against City, and especially after Pep Guardiola's side left Madrid needing to pull off another rescue act following the Spanish champion's 4-3 defeat in the first leg.

Beyond concerns about recovery or fatigue, there were suggestions that dwelling on a 35th Spanish league title might reduce, even subconsciously, some of the need and desperation to chase a 14th European Cup.

But Ancelotti was in no doubt that celebrations, with all the positivity and energy attached, would help, not hinder, Madrid's pursuit of another Champions League final.

"A celebration is good for the mental side of things," Ancelotti said. "We are professionals. Tonight we all celebrate together. Tomorrow we train and Wednesday we have another important match. If during the celebrations someone cuts their foot or a leg, OK, but that won't happen."

Madrid performed a similar routine before its sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. After thrashing Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu the Saturday before the return leg, Madrid's players walked back out onto the pitch long after the final whistle to applaud and absorb the chants of fans, who were urging the team to believe a comeback was possible.

Manchester City, though, is a different proposition to PSG. City is a more complete, astute and resolute team, which will be less vulnerable to the aura of Madrid and the gusts of momentum that seem to sweep through the Santiago Bernabeu on big European nights.

"At the Bernabeu, nothing is ever lost. I can't explain it but there is a magic at the Bernabeu that helps you," said Ancelotti after Madrid came from 2-0 down on aggregate to beat PSG 3-2, Karim Benzema scoring a second-half hat-trick.

"We didn't give up," said Luka Modric. "The stadium helped us at 3-0. They kept supporting us and that gave us a boost to keep believing we could turn it around, and we did."

Modric and Benzema, with 70 years of age between them, have been Madrid's inspirational performers this season, and both will have to deliver another recital on Wednesday if City is to be defeated.

AFP