Ancelotti: My Real Madrid team is well-drilled, it's not just man management

Ahead of the Real Madrid vs Chelsea first leg, Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media and puffed his chest out a little, pointing to his various achievements with Real Madrid.

He explained that the only trophy Los Blancos haven't won since he returned to the dugout at the start of last season is the Copa del Rey, which they are in the final of this season.

"They say I'm fantastic at man management, and it is simple to manage this squad, but there's more to it than that," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"This is a very well-drilled team.

"If we win the Copa del Rey, we'll have won all possible titles over two seasons.

"Some clubs can't win all of those titles over a lifetime.

"We definitely deserved last season's Champions League, and not just because we managed it well but because we played better than the other teams."

Ancelotti and co. obviously want to defend their title and that means overcoming Chelsea, who are now coached by interim boss Frank Lampard.

"I hope that Lampard is able to do a fantastic job with Chelsea," Ancelotti stated.

"He doesn't have the experience that I have, which is normal because I'm 20 years older.

"He was a great player and I was lucky enough to be able to coach him for a couple of years.

"He knows what it takes to win these kinds of games. I'm sure he'll do a good job there at Chelsea.

"This is a club with a great squad of great players."

On how he plans to approach the first leg, Ancelotti spoke of building up an advantage to take to London.

"We have to make the first legs count in this 180-minute tie," he said.

"The first leg isn't decisive, but it can give us an advantage to manage the second leg better.

"Rather than thinking about whether we should be attacking or conservative, we're looking to have a complete performance.

"We're excited for another magical night in the Bernabeu."

Ancelotti provides an update on Fede Valverde

Fede Valverde has been in the headlines after he was reported to the police for allegedly assaulting Villarreal player Alex Baena after Saturday's meeting between the two clubs.

Ancelotti was asked how the Uruguayan is doing and the coach provided an update during the press conference.

"He looks good and is training well with the rest of his teammates," Ancelotti said of the midfielder.

"He has great human qualities.

"I'm sure that he'll give his all, as he always does.

"I can't comment any more on this situation."

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