With Barca on Real’s mind, Pool can spring a surprise

Winning in Europe at the same time as winning at home is an art, and even experience does not guarantee success.

Bob Paisley managed it in the old days and since the European Cup became the Champions League eight men have won it while winning the league title as well. But serial European winner Carlo Ancelotti is not among them.

Ancelotti has always found it hard to compete on both fronts at the same time. In 2005 his star-studded Milan side blew up in the league as well as in Istanbul. Two years later when Milan were revenged against Liverpool in Athens they finished 28 points adrift in Serie A - 36 if you include the eight points deducted for their part in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.