Davide Ancelotti, the coach of the French team Lille, said that they will be on the field to have a perfect match against Arsenal.
Ancelotti held a press conference at the Emirates Stadium before their match against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.
Asked about how it felt to return to London, the Italian coach said, "I felt a little old when I came here, but actually I'm not that old. I felt old because I was here with Everton when my father was the coach of Chelsea. We played here with Napoli, we played with Bayern, we played with Real Madrid, so I feel at home. Jokes aside, it's always an incredible feeling. Starting from the quality of the field, the atmosphere in this stadium is always a great experience. So it will be a great experience for the team, for the players. Tomorrow." "We are here to go on the field knowing that we have to play a perfect match. We know that we have to be perfect to beat Arsenal. That is our goal, to be perfect. And we will try, we will try our best."
"Do you think you have a better chance of getting a surprise result in this period where Arsenal is struggling a little more?" When asked, Ancelotti said, "Premier League matches are very difficult. There are many teams that always play with their own identities. It is true that Brighton and Leeds cause problems for Arsenal, but each of them are very different teams. We must play without losing our own identity. Of course, we will respect the quality of Arsenal, which everyone knows, but we will not compromise our own identity. We will prepare for the match to maintain our quality and to cause problems for Arsenal."
When reminded that Lille generally does not train at their rivals' stadiums before the Champions League matches, Ancelotti said, "Because we are in an extraordinary scenario. I think feeling positive emotions can be important for the team. Personally, I love training when we go to such stadiums. I believe this is an important thing. That is why I made this decision."
On the question of how they will stop Arsenal in set pieces, Ancelotti said, "It is an issue we have been working on a lot. I think we have maintained our defensive solidity compared to last year. The team needs to improve a little more in second balls and returning balls. We are trying to create an identity in set pieces on the offensive side as well."
"IT IS AN INCREDIBLE FEELING TO EXPERIENCE THIS PASSION AGAIN"
40-year-old Olivier Giroud, who played for Arsenal at some point in his career, said that he was happy to return to the Emirates to play against his former team.
Recalling the goal he scored with a "scorpion kick" against Crystal Palace while playing for Arsenal, the French football player said, "I wish I could score again tomorrow. My instincts are still the same, single strikes, finishing in the penalty area are the same. This is one of the greatest memories at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger said to me, 'Look, you scored one of those goals again.' he said. That's why I feel very lucky. Everything was so perfect. "It's something I will never forget," he said.
When asked about continuing his career at the age of 40, Giroud said, "The passion for football and the joy I get while playing. Of course, all the experiences I have gained, everything I have learned helps me today. It is an incredible feeling to come here and experience this passion again. I am a record holder and it is a great honor for me to compete in the Champions League with Lille in France."
