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Chelsea manager Graham Potter has praised Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after his side drew Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The two sides will meet in the last eight for the second consecutive season. Madrid came out triumphant last time with a 5-4 aggregate win. Ancelotti's side went on to win the competition for the second time under the Italian coach. His team also won La Liga last season, meaning Ancelotti became the first manager to win league titles in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England (with Chelsea in 2010).
Lauding Ancelotti, Potter said (via football.london):
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"I've played against him when he was at Everton. He is a gentleman, and there's nothing I can say in terms of the respect I have for what he's achieved in his career. I think the length of time he's had between Champions League wins – twenty years – that is incredible."
Real Madrid will head into the tie as favourites after beating Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16. Meanwhile, Chelsea secured a hard-earned 2-1 win over two legs against Borussia Dortmund.
Potter's side have shown an upturn in form recently, winning their last three games across competitions. However, the clash with Los Blancos could go a long way in determining the English coach's credentials to be a success at Stamford Bridge. The first leg clash with Madrid is on April 11 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the second seven days later at the Bridge.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho wants Les Merengues to win Champions League
Mourinho has hinted that he wants Real Madrid to triumph over Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals. The Portuguese coach is backing Los Blancos to win the competition and praised Ancelotti. Mourinho said (via the Real Champs):
“There is a club that is close to my heart, and there is a manager who is my friend. Real Madrid are great, and Carlo Ancelotti is great! Hopefully they will go on in this way to win the final.”
Mourinho has managed both Madrid and Chelsea during his illustrious managerial career. He won La Liga with Los Blancos and the Premier League three times with the Blues. However, the AS Roma manager's two Champions League successes came at Portuguese side Porto and Serie A giants Inter Milan.
