Fabio Capello tipped ‘humble’ Real Madrid for further Champions League success, believing they’ll go all the way to the final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side overcame Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in a thrilling quarter-final tie, winning 5-4 on aggregate after a nail biting 3-2 second leg at home. The win was a sign of Ancelotti’s masterful ability to navigate the perilous knockout stages of the Champions League and he became the first coach to reach the semi-finals of the competition in four different decades.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Capello first commented on the electric encounter between Chelsea and Real Madrid.
“As far as Real Madrid-Chelsea is concerned, you can prepare as much as you want for a game, but against teams of this level the slightest mistake condemns you. Then sometimes the goalkeeper saves you, as Real had last night with Courtois.
“But both had prepared well, then Ancelotti was very good with the substitutions, throwing in freshness and quality. I repeat, you can prepare whatever you want, but when you have players of this quality anything can happen.”
He commented on if he sees Real Madrid reaching the Champions League final this season.
“It’s possible, Real Madrid are humble. They know they have a superior squad but they all sacrifice, Ancelotti gives them personality and they have an incredible centre forward. For me they weren’t the favourites, but now in my opinion they can be.”
Finally, Capello commented on Bayern Munich’s elimination to Unai Emery’s Villarreal, who also knocked out Juventus this season.
“They don’t seem to be the same team in terms of personality and desire as in previous years. Even on the pitch they seem a bit untidy.”
Ancelotti became the third coach to reach eight Champions League semi-finals, joining Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho in the exclusive club.