Ancelotti says Real Madrid can achieve 'the maximum' by winning Champions League

PARIS: Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid are close to achieving "the maximum" this season as they look to beat Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday and complete a European-Spanish double.

After winning La Liga last month with four games to spare, Madrid are now in the hunt for their fifth Champions League triumph in nine years in Paris.

It would be only the fifth time in the club's history Real Madrid have won the Spanish league title and the European Cup in the same season.

Ancelotti has made history himself as the only manager to reach a fifth Champions League final, which seemed unlikely when he was in charge of struggling Everton in the Premier League last season.

"This year feels like a long time, it gives me vertigo thinking about being in this final," said Ancelotti in a press conference on Friday.

"But I take it in my stride because it's a success for us. We know the history of this club and to get here is very important, it has been a very good season for us.

"We are very close to achieving the maximum and we will try. This team manages these types of games well. The veterans help the youngsters to play in an atmosphere of calm, enthusiasm and confidence."

Real Madrid are chasing a record-extending 14th European Cup at the Stade de France and boast an incredible record in European finals, having won all of their last seven.

One of those came against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in 2014, when Thibaut Courtois, now Real Madrid's goalkeeper, was on the losing side.

"We know when Real Madrid play in finals they win them and now I'm on the right side of that," said Courtois.

Liverpool had a fairly kind route through the knock-out stages, as they defeated Inter Milan, Benfica and then Villarreal