Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he did not think about losing his team even when he was on the verge of losing to Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final second leg, before completing one of the most remarkable uprisings in the history of the tournament on Wednesday.
Substitute Rodrygo scored two goals in the first and last minute of stoppage time;
Real Madrid tied 5-5 on the aggregate score, before Karim Benzema scored from a penalty kick in extra time, to win the Spanish champions 3-1 and qualify to face Liverpool.
"The game was almost over and we extracted all our energy," said Ancelotti, the first coach to reach the Champions League final five times. "We performed well against a very strong team. When we equalised (on the aggregate score), we were mentally stronger in overtime." .
When asked about his thinking about losing Real Madrid, the Italian coach told BT Sport, "No, I didn't think about that. It was a difficult period when City dominated the match, but we managed to extend the confrontation to extra time from the last chance."
He concluded, "I am very happy to reach the final in Paris against another strong opponent, but we are used to it. I think it will be a great match."
Real Madrid plays Liverpool on May 28 in Paris in a replay of the 2018 championship final, when the Spanish team won 3-1 in Kyiv.