The first match of Group C of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League will take place on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu between Real Madrid and Union Berlin, a German club that is competing in the tournament for the first time.
The Merengues are off to a perfect start in La Liga, having won all five of their opening matches, and they will be eager to carry that winning streak into European competitions and get off to a strong start by claiming all three points.
Carlo Ancelotti, the club’s manager, held his customary press conference on the day before the game. During the conference, he updated the media on the club’s injury situation and discussed their goals for the European competition.
“The Champions League is a very important competition for us. We want to get off to a strong start in the group stage, and tomorrow provides us with that opportunity. Our rivals are well prepared, strong, and persuasive in their arguments. “We are going to need a significant amount of intensity,” he said.
“The goal is to continue competing until the very end. We are able to affirm, without adding undue stress, that we are capable of achieving our goal. The goal is to advance past the group stage, then the round of 16, and finally the quarterfinals.
Due to a muscle injury, it was just recently reported that Dani Carvajal will not be able to play in tomorrow’s match as well as the derby match against Atletico Madrid that will take place over the weekend.
Ancelotti, while providing an update on the situation involving the veteran right back, stated, “Carvajal has an overload, and we prefer not to take any risks.” It’s nothing serious, he’ll have some tests done tomorrow, and we’re all crossing our fingers for a speedy recovery.
“Carvajal has a chance of playing in the derby. “I’ve got a good feeling about this,” he said.
The following day, Lucas Vázquez will play in place of Carvajal, as the manager has confirmed who will take his place in the lineup: “Tomorrow, Lucas Vázquez will play in place of Carvajal.”
The manager of Real Madrid then predicted that Manchester City, the current holders of the European title, would emerge victorious in the competition, saying:
“Manchester City are the favorites because of their roster, but most importantly because they won the Champions League. ” However, there are shocking revelations in the conclusion. They are currently the front-runners in this competition.
“Madrid will continue to compete right up until the very end. My impression is that we are not the favorites. Even though City do not believe they are favorites, the fact that they took first place in this competition the previous year makes them favorites.
Rafael Nadal, a world-renowned tennis player, shared his ambition to one day lead Real Madrid as its president during a press conference held last night. When questioned further about it, Ancelotti responded as follows:
“Florentino was the only president I’ve ever served under. He is the most qualified candidate for the presidency. We take great pride in the fact that Nadal is a genuine Madridista.
Ancelotti made the following statement in reference to the rival team, Union Berlin: “Union Berlin is a new team in the Champions League, and they deserve it.” They are reliable and bring a high level of intensity to their play. We have put in a lot of effort to learn about them, and hopefully that will pay off tomorrow.
“They don’t have any individuals who particularly stand out, but they play very well as a team.”
Real Madrid’s statement regarding the contributions being made by the new signings was as follows: “Those who have arrived are contributing a lot, like Joselu, Bellingham, and Fran Garc’a.” We are prepared, just as we were this time last year.”
Although Luka Modric has voiced his displeasure in the public eye about his diminished role in this season’s competition, Ancelotti has insisted that this has not had an impact on the two players’ personal relationship, saying the following:
“Modric is doing well, and our personal relationship is outstanding. The fact that he plays fewer games might have an impact on their professional relationship, but their personal connection will never be better than it is now. Tomorrow, he will take the field.
There was some encouraging news regarding Real Madrid’s injury situation with the announcement that Arda Guler is getting closer and closer to making his return, with the statement that “Guler will be back with the team on Monday.”
