Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has paid tribute Karim Benzema.

Ancelotti insists they can handle Benzema's departure, after he left for Al-Ittihad.

He said, "We have fantastic memories of Benzema and what he did here.

"I shall be forever grateful to him because he gave us the chance to win the Champions League. Real Madrid continues and has continued without Cristiano, Bale or Casemiro.

"That's why Real Madrid is loved by fans all over the world and hopefully tomorrow they can enjoy the quality of the team and its players. Hopefully we can win."

Ancelotti also said the Saudi Pro League: "Football, like the rest of the world, is going global. Arab teams are investing a lot of money and they are going to improve, like MLS. On a collective level, European football is more competitive, but in the future everything could even out."