Real's Ancelotti warns against Leipzig: "Not decided yet"

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned against overconfidence ahead of Wednesday's Champions League round of 16 second leg against RB Leipzig (21:00/DAZN). Despite their 1-0 win in the first leg, the Italian told journalists in Madrid on Tuesday that the Spanish soccer champions and Primera División leaders are far from certain of reaching the quarter-finals.

The 64-year-old emphasized that Leipzig are dangerous and can switch quickly and well from defence to attack, among other things. "It's a good opportunity to progress in what is a special competition for us. But we have to show our best side. The matter is not yet decided."

Although he was cautious, the Whites' coach praised his charges, who include German internationals Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger. Real have played a very good season so far. "And we want to continue that. There's not much left (until the end of the season), two and a half or three months. Only then will we be able to take stock. But so far I can't find fault with anything."

On the possibility of Rüdiger starting in the starting eleven on Wednesday, the coach said: "I don't want to give anything away. I also still have some doubts. The Tchouameni-Rüdiger pairing came about (in the 2-2 draw at Valencia FC on Saturday) because Nacho hadn't trained and was slightly injured. Now Nacho is available again and has the same chance of being in the starting eleven."

Pro Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, also recognized that the Spanish media representatives seemed rather less interested in the match against Leipzig. After several questions about his hobbies, his best friends in the squad and the possible transfer of his French compatriot Kylian Mbappé from Paris to Madrid, it was only towards the end of the press conference that there was a question about the game at the Bernabéu Stadium.

"That's the first question I've been asked about tomorrow's game," he said wryly. "To win, we have to score goals, so we're going to play on the attack," said the 21-year-old France international.