Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has said his side are in for a tough test against the 22/23 UEFA Champions League winners, Manchester City as they clash at the Etihad for the play-off for a place in the last 16.
”Playing against them is always a headache. It’s surprising that we’re playing them in this playoff, but it’s not UEFA’s fault, it’s ours. This match could easily be a semi-final or a quarter-final” Ancelotti said during a press conference on Monday.
This is the fourth season in a row in which both sides will be doing battle in the knockout stages and the fifth time in six seasons.
City came out on top in 2019-20 and 2022-23 but succumbed to Los Blancos in last season’s quarter-finals following a penalty shootout having previously lost the semi-final tie in 2021-22.
The Italian who likened the encounter to an El Clasico said his side needed to show high levels of quality, confidence and quality if they hoped to progress to the next round of the tournament.
“It’s like aClásicobecause we’ve been playing in this competition for many years. It’s going to be an entertaining and evenly matched game, like all the others. It is very difficult to predict what will happen because it’ll depend on the attitude, the quality, the confidence and the personalities of the players.”
“Fitness levels are not so indicative. If you’re not 100%, you’re not going to give 100% in this kind of game. City is one of the best teams in Europe and currently has the best coach in this competition. It’s the toughest game we could have, but we think we’re competitive despite the emergency we are in.”
Acknowledging that City’s slump in form might tip the scale in his side’s favour, Ancelotti said his side need to be careful of Giardiola’s artistry and dynamism as the English champions have the quality to hurt any team.
“They had a difficult spell because of injuries, but in the last few games, they’ve looked like a good team, as competitive as ever. I can’t imagine they’re not strong. They have fantastic players and a fantastic coach.
“I think he is a coach who has always tried to bring something new to his teams and has contributed a lot to football in terms of attacking play, possession, playing out from the back. He has been and remains an innovator in football. I have a lot of respect for him because he’s one of the best, if not the best. Every time we’ve met, it’s a nightmare to prepare for the games because he always has ideas that make you think,” he said.
