Carlo Ancelotti reveals who he expects to win this year’s Champions League

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Carlo Ancelotti reveals who he expects to win this year’s Champions League

admin1 day ago05 mins

Carlo Ancelotti has made a bold prediction ahead of Real Madrid’s eagerly anticipated Champions League match against Manchester City, suggesting that the winner of this clash is likely to go on to win the title. The two leading European clubs are set to renew their rivalry in the knockout phase, with the first leg taking place on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium.

This match has become a modern European ‘Clasico’ due to the frequent meetings between the two sides in the later stages of the competition over the last three seasons. Notably, in each case, the victorious team has gone on to claim the Champions League trophy.

Despite Manchester City’s inconsistencies this season, Ancelotti remains cautious about the threat posed by Pep Guardiola’s team. The Italian manager, who has won the Champions League five times, still regards Guardiola as the top manager in world football and expects a tough challenge due to his tactical genius.

“It’s always difficult facing Manchester City,” Ancelotti admitted during his pre-match press conference. “It will be a challenging game, hard to predict. It will depend heavily on the teams’ attitude and confidence. It’s such a high-level match that you have to be at your best in every aspect.”

The Real Madrid manager compared their encounters with City to a new kind of European Clasico, given how often they’ve faced each other in crucial Champions League encounters. “It feels like a ‘Clasico’ because we’ve played so many times in this competition,” he said. “It’s the most difficult match we can face, no matter the form.”

Manchester City knocked Real Madrid out in last season’s semi-finals with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory, including a 4-0 win at the Etihad. However, Madrid avenged their 2020 exit by dramatically eliminating City in 2022, with a remarkable comeback led by Rodrygo. Ancelotti understands that even the slightest mistake could prove costly in such a finely balanced encounter.

“They are one of the best teams in Europe, and they have the best manager,” he stated. “It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has strategies that make you rethink everything. I’m convinced that the team that advances from this tie will go on to win the competition.”

Real Madrid’s preparations for this crucial match have not been ideal. Los Blancos have seen their La Liga lead shrink after dropping points in their last two games. Moreover, they are facing a defensive injury crisis, with several key players unavailable.

Lucas Vázquez has been added to an already long injury list, which includes Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal. With so many defenders out, Ancelotti faces a tough task in building a defense capable of withstanding City’s relentless attack.

“I believe we can be competitive despite the emergency situation,” Ancelotti confidently stated, expressing trust in his team’s adaptability. Real Madrid’s resilience has often been one of their greatest strengths, and they will need all of it to navigate this high-pressure match.