Real Madrid warned about Atletico Madrid by former manager – ‘Will be difficult’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid are heading into a massive UEFA Champions League game later this week in the worst manner possible.

After all, the defeat to Real Betis at the weekend was far from the result they would have planned for.

Now, the dressing room must lift themselves for a far more challenging game, this time against Atletico Madrid who are also ahead of them in La Liga.

The first of two legs will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu. If the two Madrid derbies earlier this season are anything to go by, it will be anything but easy.

Ex-manager Fabio Capello’s thoughts on the derby

Speaking to the media ahead of the massive Madrid derby in the UEFA Champions League, former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello gave his two cents on Madrid’s chances and current form.

Understandably, his first instinct was of caution, especially given the splendid run Los Rojiblancos are on under Diego Simeone this year.

“It’s going to be difficult for both teams, as always. A derby is a different game. I think that the record that Real Madrid have in these games helps them and the players have a different quality,” he said.

However, the Italian cautioned the team that Simeone is very capable of preparing well for Real Madrid’s threats.

“But Cholo prepares the games very well and it will be difficult for Madrid to win this game,” he noted.

Praise for Ancelotti, Mbappe

Speaking on the quality of Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti and the fascinating battle that will unfold tomorrow, Capello said,

“Ancelotti is the best coach in the world because he knows how to manage the team, he knows football, he knows how to put the players on the field and he has sacrificed.”

Capello was full of praise for Ancelotti. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

He then went on to give the Italian tactician the merit for helping Kylian Mbappe find his feet after a rough start.

“He has helped Kylian Mbappe a lot and it is his merit,” he stated.

“The most important thing about the coach is to understand what you have and know where you want to go. If he doesn’t understand it, it’s a failure and Ancelotti understands him [Mbappe] perfectly,” he added.

Elaborating on Mbappe and his form at his dream club so far, the former manager said: “He’s a great player. It has taken three months to understand what Madrid is.”

“Many people have criticized him, but they have not understood anything and have said nonsense. Now you can see that he is an extraordinary player and of a very high level,” he added.

Capello also weighed in on the rise of young talents at Real Madrid, especially that of Raul Asencio.

“I have seen everyone play and they are very good. If they are here it is because they have quality and we have to wait a little.”

Finally, the ex-Real Madrid manager gave his two cents on the La Liga title race and what will come of it.

“The league is in a very interesting moment, both for football and for the fans, and every game counts. I personally think Madrid is going to win it.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo