Carlo Ancelotti has made a bold prediction ahead of Real Madrid’s highly anticipated Champions League clash with Manchester City, suggesting that the winner of their showdown will likely go on to lift the trophy. The two European powerhouses are set to renew their rivalry in the knockout round, with the first leg taking place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
This fixture has become something of a modern ‘Clasico’ in European football, as the two sides have faced each other in the latter stages of the competition in the past three seasons. Interestingly, on each occasion, the team that emerged victorious from their encounter went on to win the Champions League.
Despite Manchester City’s somewhat inconsistent form this season, Ancelotti remains wary of the threat posed by Pep Guardiola’s side. The Italian tactician, who has won the competition five times as a manager, still considers Guardiola to be the best coach in world football and expects an extremely difficult battle against his tactical prowess.
It is always a headache to face Manchester City,” Ancelotti admitted during his pre-match press conference. “It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. It will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It’s such a high-level game that you have to be at your best in every aspect.”
The Real Madrid boss likened their meetings with City to a new kind of European Clasico, given how frequently they have locked horns in decisive Champions League encounters. “It seems like it’s a ‘Clasico’ because we have played each other so many times in this competition,” he continued. “It’s the most difficult game we can face, regardless of form.”
Manchester City eliminated Real Madrid at the semi-final stage last season with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory, including a resounding 4-0 win at the Etihad. However, Madrid avenged their 2020 exit by dramatically knocking City out in 2022, with an unforgettable comeback inspired by Rodrygo. Ancelotti knows that any slight lapse in concentration could prove costly in a game of such fine margins.
They are one of the best teams in Europe, and they have the best manager out there,” he said. “It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think. I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.”
Real Madrid’s preparation for this crucial fixture has been far from ideal. Los Blancos have seen their lead at the top of La Liga shrink after dropping points in their last two league outings. Furthermore, they are dealing with a defensive injury crisis, with several key players sidelined.
Lucas Vázquez has been added to an already lengthy casualty list that includes Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal. With so many defenders unavailable, Ancelotti faces a tough task in assembling a backline capable of resisting City’s relentless attacking pressure.
“I think we can be competitive despite the emergency we have,” Ancelotti insisted, showing confidence in his squad’s ability to adapt. Real Madrid’s resilience has often been their greatest strength, and they will need every ounce of it to navigate this high-stakes battle.
One player who will be relishing the encounter is Rodrygo, who has developed a reputation for delivering in big European nights. The Brazilian has already scored four times against Manchester City, including his unforgettable late brace in the 2022 semi-final that forced extra time and eventually led to Madrid’s triumph.
Rodrygo, while acknowledging City’s quality, is optimistic about his chances of making an impact once again. “It is not a team I like playing against because they make it very difficult, but it is true I have been happy playing against them in the past and I hope I will again,” he said.
The presence of Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and the soon-to-be Madrid star Kylian Mbappé adds even more firepower to Ancelotti’s squad. While City boasts an equally formidable lineup led by Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, Madrid’s attacking depth could be their greatest weapon in a tie that promises goals.
Guardiola, too, will be well aware of the stakes. His team is aiming to become the first back-to-back Champions League winners since Real Madrid’s historic three-peat from 2016 to 2018. A victory over Los Blancos would be a huge statement, reinforcing City’s place as Europe’s dominant force.
For Ancelotti, though, this is about more than just statistics. The Champions League is a competition he has mastered throughout his career, and he knows how to guide his teams through the toughest challenges. With Real Madrid’s unparalleled history in the tournament, they will not go down without a fight.
As the first leg looms, the football world is preparing for another epic battle between two of the game’s finest teams. If history is any indication, whoever triumphs in this modern ‘Clasico’ will have one hand on the Champions League trophy.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has likened his team’s upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City to a “Clásico” due to their frequent high-stakes encounters in recent years. The two clubs are set to face each other in the knockout stage for the fifth time in six years, with each team having progressed twice in their previous meetings. citeturn0news0
Ancelotti acknowledged the challenge posed by Pep Guardiola’s side, stating, “It is always a headache to face Manchester City. It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. It will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It’s such a high-level game that you have to be at your best in every aspect.” citeturn0news0
Despite Real Madrid currently leading La Liga and Manchester City being fifth in the Premier League, Ancelotti emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming match, praising Guardiola’s innovative tactics. He also noted that the team advancing from this tie would have a strong chance of winning the competition. citeturn0news0
Real Madrid is facing a defensive injury crisis, with key players like Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, and Éder Militão sidelined. However, Ancelotti remains confident in his squad’s competitiveness, stating, “I think we can be competitive despite the emergency we have.” citeturn0news0
The first leg of this highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
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