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“We know everything” - Real Madrid boss Ancelotti hits back at Dortmund who refuse to train at Bernabeu amid fear of tactics spies ahead of UCL tie

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has responded to Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin’s reported claim of Los Blancos planting secret spies around Santiago Bernabeu to monitor their training session. Ancelotti said he doesn’t need to spy on the Bundesliga club as he is already familiar with their style of play.

Sahin had reportedly decided that his team will not train at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday, October 22. The Turkish manager said he’d rather train his players at Brackel Training Ground.

Prior to Tuesday's clash, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund met in the Champions League final last season. Carlo Ancelotti’s men won the match 2-0 to claim their 15th UCL title. However, it is important to note that Edin Terzic was Dortmund’s manager at the time. Sahin took over the managerial reins of the Bundesliga club after Terzic terminated his contract.

Despite the change in managerial role, Ancelotti still feels that nothing much would have changed about Borussia Dortmund’s gameplay. In the pre-match conference, Ancelotti said he doesn’t need to pry on their training regimen.

"We know everything about Dortmund. I don't need to spy them to know how they play." Ancelotti said (via Madrid Xtra)

The Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund match will be the third match for both sides in the 2024-25 Champions League campaign. Nuri Sahin’s men are currently at the top of the pile with six points, having won both their matches. Meanwhile, the defending champions are in the 17th position on the standings, with three points having won one and lost one.


What the Real Madrid boss said about Borussia Dortmund ahead of UCL clash

Apart from responding to the spying accusations, Carlo Ancelotti also gave his assessment of Borussia Dortmund as a team in the pre-match conference. He said that while Dortmund have changed their manager, their football identity is still the same. He told the club’s website:

“Borussia Dortmund have changed. They've got a new coach and some players have also changed, but they've got the same footballing identity. They're intense, they play good football and they have individual and collective qualities. They're a tough opponent and they've only recently played in a Champions League final against us.”

He added:

“Football has changed. We know everything about our opponents. You see every game, and there are no secrets. I have enough data to evaluate the opposing team with the games they've played in recent times.”

Real Madrid and Borussia have squared off in the Champions League 15 times. Los Blancos have been the better side so far, winning seven while Die Schwarzgelben have won three. Five matches ended in a stalemate.

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