Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid will be 'extra motivated' to win this season's Champions League final against Liverpool following the events of May 27, 1981.
The Spanish giants lost the final of the European Cup - the original name of the Champions League - 1-0 to the Reds in Paris on that day thanks to Alan Kennedy's late winner. That was Liverpool's third European crown, and third under iconic manager Bob Paisely.
This season's final will also be held in Paris and Real are keen to beat Liverpool and win a record 14th European Cup, avenging the Class of '81. If victorious on Saturday, Real will have remarkably won five of the last nine Champions League finals.
Ancelotti comments were in response to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, who wants to avenge his team's Champions League final defeat to Real in Kyiv four years ago. The Egyptian forward was forced out of that game in the first half with a shoulder injury.
"We have a score to settle," tweeted Salah after Real were confirmed as Liverpool's Champions League final opponents. A day before that tweet, the 29-year-old told BT Sport he wanted to play Real on the eve of their semi-final victory against Manchester City.
"I want to play Madrid, I have to be honest," said Salah. "City are a really tough team, we played against them a few times this season. I think personally, I would prefer Madrid. We lost in the final to them so I want to play against them and hopefully win it."
Who will win the Champions League final? Let us know in the comments below!
When pressed about Salah's comments on Tuesday, Ancelotti said: "It could be a motivation, but Madrid lost a final in Paris with Liverpool. It could be revenge for us too."
Liverpool do have two omens on their side. Real haven't lost a Champions League final since that fateful day in Paris - winning the competition seven times since - and Ancelotti was AC Milan's manager when the Reds famously recovered from three goals down in Istanbul to win on penalties the final in 2005.
Ancelotti's Milan did beat Liverpool two years later in Athens, however. The Italian manager will also been keen to beat them again due to the 1984 final, when the Reds defeated Ancelotti's Roma on penalties to win their fourth European Cup.
"We have met many times," added Ancelotti when asked about Jurgen Klopp's side. "Losing with them was a tragedy with Roma in 1984 and 2005. Then the revenge, which Salah says, in 2007. I respect him a lot.
"One of the best experiences of my career is seeing the push Bernabeu or Anfield. In addition to the beautiful experience of being rivals with Everton. I like their history, that of Paisley, they have six Champions Leagues, only one less than Milan... that's an extra motivation too. My Milanist friends tell me don't let them reach seven."
Both teams have already lifted two trophies this season. Real won the La Liga title by 13 points and the Spanish Super Cup. Liverpool have won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, defeating Chelsea on penalties to lift both pieces of silverware.
