Carlo Ancelotti: Our best may not be good enough

Carlo Ancelotti is preparing to manage in a record fifth Champions League final just a year after his shock return to Real Madrid from Everton, who he hopes to do a favour by beating rivals Liverpool.

A two-time European Cup winner with AC Milan as a player, the 62-year-old went on to mastermind the Rossoneri's European victories in 2003 and 2007 before overseeing Los Blancos’ 2014 triumph.

Ancelotti was sacked by Madrid the following year and, following stints in the Bayern Munich and Napoli dugouts, somewhat surprisingly took over at Everton in December 2019.

The Toffees finished 12th that season and 10th in what proved to be his only full campaign at the helm before making a stunning return to the Bernabeu this time last year.

That decision has proved a masterstroke, with Ancelotti helping Real to win La Liga at a canter and leading the comeback kings on a rollercoaster ride to Saturday’s Champions League final against Liverpool.

"It is a big contrast," former Everton boss Ancelotti said. "I’ve thought about that, how things were very different last year.

"Then there was a phone call with Jose Angel (Sanchez) and the president.

"This year feels like a long time. I’m treating it naturally. Getting to this final, it’s a big success for us, we know how demanding this club is – it’s all about the club’s history.

"It’s been a big feat to get to this point. We think we’ve had a very good season and we are very close to achieving something huge this season.

"We are very calm in the camp. I’m here to manage the game, with the veteran players helping the younger ones, to have a good atmosphere around the squad with lots of excitement and confidence."

Ancelotti’s exit stuck in the craw of many at Goodison Park but the blue half of