Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has a full squad to choose from for Saturday's Champions League final with Liverpool in Paris.
Los Blancos will be bidding to win their 14th European Cup this weekend at the expense of Liverpool, who will be looking to lift the trophy for the seventh time in their history.
Ancelotti was able to name a full travelling squad to Paris despite recent injury problems for Gareth Bale and David Alaba.
The Real Madrid head coach has now confirmed that the La Liga champions have no injury problems heading into the contest, with Alaba widely expected to be fit enough to start in the French capital.
"I remember we had some injury issues in 2014 and still won, so it's nice to not have injury concerns this time. If the Liverpool players who have had injury concerns end up playing, it'll mean they're not injured, because you can't play this game if you're injured," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference.
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Alaba - recently out with an adductor problem - has been a vital player for Real Madrid during the 2021-22 campaign, making 45 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and four assists in the process.
Bale has also recovered from a back problem which forced him to miss the end of the La Liga campaign, so the Wales international could play a part in what would be his final appearance for the club.
Eden Hazard has also recovered from a leg operation in recent weeks, making his return in the 1-1 draw with Cadiz in the middle of May, and the Belgium international will hope that there is a role for him off the bench on Saturday night.
Ancelotti was also asked about his record in Champions League finals during Friday's press conference and said that he still thinks about AC Milan's 2005 defeat to Liverpool.
The Italian won the European Cup with Milan in 2003 and 2007, in addition to lifting the trophy with Real Madrid in 2014, so he is bidding to become the first manager to win this competition on four occasions.
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"I remember all these previous finals and it's hard to believe that the one where we played the best, versus Liverpool in 2005, was the only one I lost. I'm obviously not going to tell the players to play poorly to have a better chance of winning, but it shows you anything can happen. By playing well, you have a better chance of winning, but you can't control everything in football," he said.
Ancelotti has also claimed that there "are fewer nerves" in the camp than back in 2014, when Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 in the final in Lisbon.
"I think the motivation is the same as 2014, but there are fewer nerves. These players manage these kinds of matches very well and I think the veteran players can help the younger players. We've had a very very good season and we feel calm," the 62-year-old added.
Real Madrid, who won the European Cup in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 during a dominant spell, have had to overcome Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City to book their spot in Saturday's final.
Los Blancos are bidding to make it a double this term, having secured their 35th La Liga title at the end of April, which has allowed Ancelotti to rotate his squad in recent weeks.
Matt Law
