Carlo Ancelotti has told his Real Madrid superstars to tread carefully when they face Celtic in the Champions League.
Last season's winners are booked in for a trip to Glasgow after Thursday's group stage draw threw up some stellar ties. Celtic will play Real, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk on their first outing in UEFA's premier competition since 2017.
Ancelotti's side are clear favourites to top the section but he's well aware it's not always plain sailing for the top seeds at this stage. On their way to lifting the 2021/22 trophy, Real lost to Moldovan underdogs FC Sheriff in an astonishing upset at the Bernabeu. And it's for that reason he's adamant his team will not take any of their group fixtures lightly, promising to give Celtic, Leipzig and Shakhtar nothing but their utmost respect.
Ancelotti said: “It’s a different group because in two months we played all the games and last year, in the simplest game against the Sheriff - at the Bernabeu - we lost it. That’s why we have to be careful. There will be complicated environments and it won’t be easy to play in Glasgow, in Leipzig… We have to respect the group as rivals respect Real Madrid."
Meanwhile, Shakhtar boss Dario Srna is gearing up for a tightly contested group. Due to the war in Ukraine, his side will not be able to play their home ties in their homeland, instead relocating to Warsaw. And he said: "There are no easy groups in the Champions League. We will fight to the last.
" Real Madrid are Real Madrid. We already played against Celtic twice before. RB Leipzig are a good team.
"So let's put it this way - the draw could have been worse, it could have been better. The most important thing is to enjoy the games that are waiting.
"Unfortunately, there will not be full stands in Ukraine, but I am sure there will be in Warsaw. Many of our fans will come and they deserve, like the whole of Ukraine, that we demonstrate good, bright football, so they get pleasure from games."
