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"It's not a surprise for me not being the odds-on favorite, I
think it's a good sign," Ancelotti told a news conference in
Glasgow on the eve of Tuesday's opening Group F game against
Celtic.
"I think that last year we had even less probability in the
statistics to win it. And we have an improved team this season.
"What happened last year will happen again. We are going to
compete until the end and, hopefully, we will compete in the
final."
Last season, Real Madrid were considered to be the underdogs
during their knockout round matches against Paris St Germain,
Chelsea and Manchester City as well as in the final showdown
with Liverpool but they went on to win a record-extending 14th
European Cup title.
"In this competition, Real Madrid have always been respected.
The history of the club is part of the history of this
competition," Ancelotti said.
"We start with enthusiasm, as always, but you never know what is
going to happen. We have to think about the group-stage first,
win it and then see what happens after the (break in November
and December for the) World Cup."
Ancelotti said that he will probably rotate his squad more often
to keep players fresh with Champions League and LaLiga matches
overloading the schedule.
The Italian said he was concerned about how the players will
cope with the packed schedule once they return from the World
Cup in Qatar that kicks off on Nov. 20.
"Until the World Cup I believe we won't have problems because
the players are prepared and motivated. They want to get to the
World Cup in good condition," Ancelotti said.
"The question is how the players will return after the World
Cup. We just don't know because it is an unique situation."
Real Madrid are grouped together with Leipzig, Shakhtar and
Celtic in Champions League Group F.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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