Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, believes that the winner of his team’s upcoming Champions League play-off against Manchester City will become one of the top contenders to win the trophy. This will be the fourth consecutive season that the two teams face off in Europe’s premier club competition, with the first leg taking place in Manchester on Tuesday.
This clash comes earlier than usual in the tournament, as both teams struggled in the new league phase, losing three of their eight games. Manchester City only made it into the knockout stages with a second-half comeback against Club Brugge and have experienced a dramatic drop in form in the Premier League, sitting 15 points behind leaders Liverpool in fourth place after winning four consecutive titles.
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Meanwhile, Real Madrid is in a strong position in La Liga, leading a tight race against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, despite facing challenges, including defensive injuries. Ancelotti believes the winner of this match-up will have a good chance of going far in the competition, citing the trend of the past three seasons where the victor of this tie eventually went on to lift the Champions League.
Ancelotti acknowledged City’s recent struggles, including a tough period between October and December, but still views them as a formidable opponent. He praised their quality, with strong players and the best coach in the competition, and expects them to be tough competitors. He expressed surprise at City’s recent form but believes they remain a dangerous team.
For Real Madrid, Ancelotti faces defensive challenges with multiple key players injured, including Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba. Midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde are expected to fill in at the back alongside Raul Asencio and Ferland Mendy.
