KEIR RADNEDGE in PARIS: Carlo Ancelotti shrugged off suggestions that Real Madrid had been fortunate to reach the Champions League final after the last-gasp nature of their victories over Manchester City and Chelsea.

Ancelotti, seeking to lead the record European champions to a 14th crown against Liverpool in the Stade de France, said: “We deserved to reach the final for everything said before: the technical quality, the talent… The team has been committed.

“The history of this club has pushed us in times of difficulty. We deserved to reach the final and now we have to prove it tomorrow.

“We have to prepare a game in which we show our qualities. We have shown that there is a great commitment, that there is a lot of quality, that those who have entered have shown their faces and made a difference. I think Liverpool will also play an intense game, with a lot of individual quality.”

Ancelotti, a winner twice with Milan and once with Madrid, also lost two. One, famously, was against Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005 when his Milan were 30 ahead at halftime.

As for the wins, Ancelotti said: “I have good memories of all of them. We have had time to prepare it well now and I believe Everton fans will support us tomorrow for sure. There is a great rivalry with Liverpool. I have very good memories of my time there, on the blue side.”

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