During the current season, Carlo Ancelotti has identified the sole team that has the potential to triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
In the 2023/24 championship match, which took place in June, Real defeated Borussia Dortmund by a score of 2-0, making them the reigning champions heading into this season’s competition.
On the other hand, Los Blancos had a challenging campaign in the group stage this season, winning only five of their eight games played in the new format.
They were defeated by AC Milan and Liverpool in consecutive matches, and they also suffered a loss of 1-0 on the road against Lille, a team from Ligue 1.
This meant that they could only qualify for the play-off round stage of the Champions League, where they will compete against Manchester City, the champions of 2023, over the course of two legs.
At his pre-match press conference, Carlo Ancelotti asserted with complete assurance that there were only two teams in the entire competition this season that had the potential to go on and win it. The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening at Etihad Stadium.
“I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition,” he said to reporters.
There is no way to know what the outcome of this game will be. To a large extent, it will be determined by the mentality and self-assurance of the teams.
“It seems like a ‘Clasico’ because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition,” the Italian continued. “I had a lot of experience playing each other.” Regardless of the form, it is the most challenging game that we could possibly face.
They are easily one of the best teams in Europe, and they have Pep Guardiola, who is widely considered to be the best manager in the world. Making preparations for games against him is a living nightmare because he is constantly coming up with ideas that force you to think.
Given their respective performances, his decision to ignore Liverpool, who won seven of their eight group stage matches, and even Barcelona, who competed against them in the El Clasico and won six, drew one, and lost one, may come as a surprise to fans.
Real, on the other hand, are without a doubt the most dominant team in Europe, having won the Champions League trophy a record fifteen times.
Ancelotti has not only won the trophy three times with Real Madrid but also twice with AC Milan. He will be hoping to add a sixth title to his collection by the time this season comes to a close.
There have been reports that the Italian is contemplating whether or not he will step down from his role in the summer, despite the fact that his contract still has another year left to run.
In November, however, Ancelotti gave an interview to France Football (via Marca) in which he seemed to make his feelings regarding his short-term future clear. He said, “Before I stop, I would like to win a new Champions League.” After that, there was yet another. Aspire to the top is a goal shared by every coach.
“However, this club is truly remarkable, and coaching Real Madrid is a privilege.” Everywhere in the world, it is the best. Because of its past, its atmosphere, and the people who support it. As a result, the objective was to arrive at that location at some point in the future.
