Carlo Ancelotti is relishing another test against his old rival Diego Simeone, ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Heading into their 27th meeting, with the two coaches having faced each other more often than any other rival in their careers, they are tied at nine wins each along with eight draws.
Madrid and Atleti have already met three times this season. Both LaLiga fixtures have been drawn, while Simeone’s team won 4-2 in the Copa del Rey.
This will be the 10th meeting between Madrid and Atleti in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League; the joint-most between teams from the same nation, along with Chelsea versus Liverpool (10).
Madrid have won all four of their previous meetings in the competition in the past 11 seasons, though, including the 2014 and 2016 finals.
But Ancelotti’s team have won only one of their last seven derbies against Atleti in all competitions.
And the Italian is looking forward to another go-around with Simeone.
“My first memory of him is as a footballer with Lazio, when he scored against Juventus I was a coach in a game that was for the league title,” said Ancelotti.
“Lazio won and they took the championship, I think it was 2000.
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“Now, as a coach, I respect him a lot. He’s a great manager. He has done very well at Atletico, taken them to the highest level in Europe.
“I like the way he reads the games, how he gets the team on the pitch, the strategy, the commitment his team has defensively. I like all of these aspects a lot.”
Ancelotti said that Real will not fall into the trap of over-confidence from previous results as the holders bid for a record-extending 16th European crown.
“It’s going to be a close tie that will be decided in the second leg. The objective tomorrow is to play well and take an advantage,” Ancelotti said.
“The match will be even and competitive, as a Madrid derby always is. It’s a special match in terms of emotions and the pressure you feel ahead of a big rivalry game.”
