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Topics: Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Champions League, Jurgen Klopp, Football
Joe Adams
Topics: Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Champions League, Jurgen Klopp, Football
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has "dedicated zero hours to the Liverpool game so far".
Los Blancos travel to Anfield for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday evening in a mouth-watering contest.
Despite a crucial 2-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Monday, Liverpool are languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, some nine points adrift of the top four.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are off the back of a 4-0 win over bottom of the league Elche, but still eight points off league leaders Barcelona.
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Both managers will no doubt cast their minds back to last years' Champions League final where Ancelotti got the better of Klopp 1-0 in a close affair.
However, the Real boss has insisted he has not spared a thought for Tuesday night's clash, claiming his full focus is on his side's next league match.
“We have dedicated zero hours to the Liverpool game so far, because they’re also a team that we know well," the Spaniard said.
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"Right now, we’re planning 24/7 for Osasuna, which is an important match.
"I’m not thinking about Tuesday’s game when I make my line-up choice for tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow’s line-up might be repeated on Tuesday.”
Ancelotti is expected to rest Karim Benzema on the weekend, indicating some level of preparation for Anfield.
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In a tweet, Journalist Alberto Pereiro claimed: "Karim Benzema will not be at the weekend vs Osasuna in Pamplona. Yesterday (he) finished limping, there is no injury but they don't want trouble for Tuesday at Anfield."
Benzema has been plagued by injury all season. The Frenchman has been ruled out of 11 matches for the Spanish giants this term, while he was also forced out of Didier Deschamps World Cup squad.
Nevertheless, the talisman remains essential to Ancelotti's plans, having still managed 14 goals and four assists in 22 matches in all competitions this season.