Carlo Ancelotti hails 'best squad I've ever had' as Real Madrid Return to Champions League final - 'Humble and generous'

Carlo Ancelotti hailed his group of Real Madrid players as “the best squad I’ve ever had in my career” after they reached the UEFA Champions League final.

The Italian coach made a decisive intervention in Wednesday’s semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich by bringing striker Joselu off the bench.

With Real trailing 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, the substitute scored twice in three minutes at the death to turn the tie on its head and keep the Spaniards on course for a record-extending 15th European crown.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game about his players, Ancelotti said: “Unbelievable."

“I’m really grateful to them because they worked really hard, there has been a fantastic atmosphere. They are really humble, really generous.

“I think it’s the best squad that I’ve ever had in my career.”

That is high praise indeed given Ancelotti’s track record as one of the sport’s most decorated managers.

The Italian is aiming to win the Champions League for a fifth time when Real face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1, having won two titles in Madrid and two with former club AC Milan.

He was happy with his side’s performance on another magical night at the Bernabeu stadium, and praised unsung hero Joselu for his contribution.

“I think we played well. We had opportunities, good control of the game and we had the strength to go up when they scored,” Ancelotti said.

“It happened again here, it’s quite useful that in the Bernabeu, with the support of our supporters, we can do something unexpected.”

He added: “Joselu did a fantastic job, he’s a fantastic striker. We could use the wings more to put in crosses and we did really well, we had a lot of energy at the end of the game.”

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