Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti has Celtic Park problem

Real Madrid will begin the defence of their Champions League title with a game at Celtic Park this midweek. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been perfect this season till now in terms of results, winning all four of their La Liga games and sitting at the top of the table. And they would surely want to maintain that run.

Standing in their way though is a team that has also been perfect this season in Celtic. The Hoops have won all six of their Premiership games as well as a League Cup game till now. And their recent 4-0 win over Glasgow rivals and last season’s Europa League finalists, Rangers, was a statement of intent.

Real Madrid would be making a mistake if they look past the Scottish champions. And few people will know that better than Ancelotti.

Ancelotti has managed three times at Celtic Park in the past but has never recorded a win. All three occasions, he was managing AC Milan. Twice, they could only manage 0-0 draws and on one occasion, they lost 2-1. Thus, it has not been a happy location for the Italian manager.

Ancelotti has to solve his problems at Celtic Park when he comes visiting with Real Madrid

As reported by The Herald, Ancelotti said regarding the matter:

"“Yes, it is true, it has not been a really good stadium for me and my teams in the past.“I don’t have a clear memory of being here. We played Celtic twice in the group stages and once in the last 16 when we were able to win in Milan after extra-time.“What can I say? This has been a really difficult stadium for me and my teams in the past, but it is a fantastic atmosphere. I love that my teams can play in this atmosphere.”"

Celtic Park has arguably the best atmosphere in all of Europe and it will be quite an experience for the Real Madrid players to play there.

Los Blancos have been notoriously slow starters in the Champions League though and that could be a worry for them going into this game as could be the fact that they appear to suffer from lapses in concentration at the back at times and have conceded in all games this season till now.

On the other hand, Celtic are a fast, pressing and attacking side, and could pose problems for Real Madrid if they are not careful.