Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Chelsea
Real Madrid will be hoping to emerge with a crucial advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Coming into the game on the back of a 2-3 defeat to Villarreal, the reigning champions of Spain and Europe will be gunning to bounce back strongly and hope to capitalise on the instability surrounding Chelsea.
With the game set to kick off in a few hours, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has named the starting XI that will be facing Frank Lampard’s team.
The Merengues’ boss has reverted to the lineup that started in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona last week, which they had won 4-0 at Camp Nou.
It means that Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal all return to the starting XI after being benched in the game against Villarreal in midweek. Dani Ceballos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Marco Asensio, Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez drop out.
David Alaba partners Militao in defence while Eduardo Camavinga slots in at left-back. Meanwhile, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr form the frontline for the home team against Chelsea.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 12, 2023
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Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
