sport news Thomas Tuchel has NEVER lost a semi-final, while Carlo Ancelotti and Real ... trends now
'I am confident because this is Real Madrid,' Carlo Ancelotti said boldly ahead of his side's Champions League semi-final second-leg against Bayern Munich.
The newly-crowned LaLiga champions have an undeniable hold on the trophy. They have won Europe's top prize twice as many times as the second most successful outfit.
And Ancelotti is the only manager to get his hands on Ol' Big Ears on four occasions. But standing in the opposing dugout on Wednesday will be a boss with an unblemished record in semi-finals, leading a team with only one chance to claim silverware this season.
Add in the continents top marksman, who has only failed to register a goal contribution in six Bundesliga games this season, and you have a finely poised match-up between two of European football's elite.
Last week's first-leg provided the excitement and drama many had hoped for and the upcoming Bernabeu clash is sure to keep the thrills coming.
Thomas Tuchel and Caro Ancelotti will be going head-to-head for the 11th time in their careers
Harry Kane (far right) calmly converted from the spot last week to put Bayern Munich ahead
Vinicus Jr grabbed a brace at the Allianz Arena to ensure Real Madrid go into the second-leg as favourites
Ancelotti vs Tuchel
The 2-2 draw in Bavaria was the 10th meeting of Ancelotti and Tuchel. The Italian manager has been one of Tuchel's most frequent opponents. He has faced only five coaches more than the Real Madrid boss.
Tuchel holds a favourable record against his fellow former Chelsea manager; four wins, three draws and three defeats.
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The German boss' points-per-game of 1.50 is impressive considering the number of times he has gone up against Ancelotti. By comparison, Tuchel has managed only three wins against both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in 19 and 12 attempts respectively.
One of the most outstanding achievements of his career to date is his perfect record in semi-finals. Tuchel has reached the final four in seven different competitions during his career with Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea and he is yet to fail to advance to the final.
In fact, the 50-year-old has not experienced defeat in those 11 semi-final matches. But as Tuchel found out in 2022, when his Chelsea side were inexplicably beaten 3-1 in the quarter-final second-leg of the competition the Spanish capital - and as Ancelotti so confidently told reporters - 'this is Real Madrid.'
To a lesser extent, 'this is Ancelotti.' The Italian reached another milestone in the competition this season, becoming the first boss to manage 200 games. That figure is more than a 100 more than Klopp, more than 50 more than Jose Mourinho and 12 clear of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder has won 114 of those encounters, another record. His side are also unbeaten in their 11 matches in the Champions League this season, winning eight and drawing three.
Tuchel suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit while Chelsea manager at the hands of Ancelotti and Madrid in 2022
The Italian boss went on to lift the trophy for a record fourth time after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool
Tuchel become a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021. His side beat Zinedine Zidane's Madrid in the semi-final
Bernabeu factor
Ancelotti admitted that Bayern were the better team in the first-leg but Madrid's knack of grinding out results provided the latest example of their Michael Myers-like ability in the competition. They cannot be killed.
'We have this squad,' Ancelotti continued in his Tuesday press conference. 'I'm confident in
