Man City vs Real Madrid as a Clásico now – Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti said Manchester City vs. Real Madrid “feels like a Clásico Now “As the teams are preparing to meet in the Champions League in the fourth consecutive season and supported Tie’s winner to” go a long way in the competition. “

In previous years, City and Madrid met in the Champions League semi -final or the quarterfinals – with Madrid Emerging Victorious in 2022 and 2024 and City in 2023 – but this time they face in the knockout phase, after underestimating European campaigns.

The city goes into Tuesday’s first stage at Etihad Stadium, which has fought this season – they are fifth in the Premier League – while Madrid, despite having led Laliga, has dealing with an injury crisis that has seen them deprived of senior defenders Dani CarvajalAt Éder militaryAt Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba.

“It feels like a Clásico Now, because we’ve been playing them now for many years, “Ancelotti said at his news conference before the match in Manchester Monday.” I still think the city is one of the best teams in Europe. City has the best coach (Pep Guardiola) in this competition. It is one of the most difficult games you can have … And the same goes for us, we are competitive despite the emergency we are facing. “

By 2022, Madrid City beat 6-5 overall in the Champions League semi-finals-watered a dramatic second leg 3-1 at Santiago Bernabéu, all three goals that came in extra time-in 2024 quarterfinals was a penalty need to separate the teams .

Madrid continued to win the Champions League on both occasions, with triumph in the city after removing Madrid in 2023.

“It’s the most difficult rival, the most important rival and the best manager,” Ancelotti said. “The team that goes through to the next round has the opportunity to go a long way in the competition. In the last years, the team won this tie, the Champions League.”

Ancelotti said the guard trip is “always a headache.”

“He is a coach who always tries to bring something new to his team,” Ancelotti said. “He has done a lot for football in terms of possession, press, play out from behind. He is an innovator. I have a lot of respect for him … It’s always a nightmare preparing for the game.”

In 2022, forward Rodrygo Starring when the two teams met, scoring twice in one minute to watch Madrid move on.

“I spoke two or three days to (midfielder) Fat ValverdeAbout the game against the city, “Rodrygo said.

“I asked him if we would ever feel that feelings again. It was the most special night of my career … Sometimes I have been happy to play against (city), other times not so much. I’m in good form and I can be crucial.