Champions League: Real Madrid Hope Title Momentum Can Boost Manchester City Comeback Bid

As Real Madrid celebrated their La Liga title win, Carlo Ancelotti was already trying to direct momentum towards Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City. Madrid had beaten Espanyol 4-0 on Saturday and the players were celebrating at Plaza Cibeles after an open-top bus had wound its way through the city to the statue where players and fans always toast their biggest trophies.

"And now to Wednesday, yes we can!" Ancelotti shouted at the adoring crowd, who chanted back "si, se puede!", "yes we can!"

Many had wondered whether celebrations were appropriate or sensible, given how they were sandwiched between the two mammoth games against City, especially after Pep Guardiola's side left Madrid needing to pull off another rescue act following the Spanish champions' 4-3 defeat in the first leg.

Beyond concerns about recovery or fatigue, there were suggestions that dwelling on a 35th Spanish league title might reduce, even subconsciously, some of the need and desperation to chase a 14th European Cup.

But Ancelotti was in no doubt that celebrations, with all the positivity and energy attached, would help, not hinder, Madrid's pursuit of another Champions League final.

"A celebration is good for the mental side of things," Ancelotti said. "We are professionals. Tonight we all celebrate together. Tomorrow we train and Wednesday we have another important match. If during the celebrations someone cuts their foot or a leg, okay, but that won't happen."

Madrid performed a similar routine before their sensational comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. After thrashing Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu the Saturday before the return leg, Real Madrid's players walked back out onto the