Ancelotti bracing for one more ´nightmare´ conflict with Man Metropolis
Carlo Ancelotti described Actual Madrid’s preparations for his or her Champions League play-off conflict towards Manchester Metropolis as a “nightmare”.
Madrid sq. off towards Pep Guardiola’s aspect on the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with the winners of the final three titles dealing with off for a fourth consecutive season.
Certainly, this can be simply the fourth fixture in European Cup / Champions League historical past to be performed in 4 straight campaigns, after Deportivo de La Coruna v Juventus (4 from 2000-01 to 2003-04), Chelsea v Liverpool (5 from 2004-05 to 2008-09), and Atletico Madrid v Madrid (4 from 2013-14 to 2016-17).
Regardless of solely shedding three of their 12 video games towards them within the competitors, the Residents have been eradicated from the Champions League knockout phases by Los Blancos extra usually than by every other opponent (three).
And Ancelotti, who has received 4 of his 12 video games towards Guardiola throughout his managerial profession, believes the rivalry between the 2 groups has change into Europe’s largest.
“It appears like a contemporary traditional as a result of we’ve been enjoying towards one another on this competitors for a few years,” Ancelotti instructed a press convention on Monday.
“I feel it’s going to be as entertaining and evenly matched as ever. A lot is dependent upon perspective, particular person high quality, confidence and persona.
“It’s such a high-level that it’s a must to deliver out one of the best in each facet of the sport, not only one.
“Whoever goes by may have an excellent likelihood of going far within the competitors, as has been the case lately.”
— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 10, 2025
Ancelotti talks from expertise after his aspect received the Champions League in 2022 and final yr, having eradicated Metropolis within the knockout phases of the competitors.
The Madrid boss additionally dismissed the concept Actual could be dealing with a weakened opponent in comparison with the one they’ve come up towards lately.
Metropolis have struggled within the Premier League this season, sitting fifth after an unprecedented run of kind in the direction of the top of final yr that dented their title hopes.
Guardiola’s aspect are 15 factors behind leaders Liverpool, however these troubles transcended into their European marketing campaign. They wanted a win over Membership Brugge of their closing sport of the league part to ebook their place within the knockout spherical.
Ancelotti, nonetheless, is anticipating one other robust battle, saying: “The fact is that’s at all times a headache (enjoying towards Manchester Metropolis).
“Guardiola is a coach who has introduced lots to soccer, an innovator and I’ve a variety of respect for him. He’s probably the greatest, if not one of the best.
“Each time we play towards one another, it’s a nightmare to organize for the video games, as a result of he at all times has concepts that make you suppose.
“Metropolis are nonetheless probably the greatest groups in Europe, they’ve one of the best coach, and they’re the hardest rival we might have performed towards.”
