Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has set down a marker to their Champions League rivals by saying whoever wins their play-off tie with Manchester City will lift the trophy in May.
This is the fourth year in a row Real and City have clashed at Europe’s elite competition, with Los Blancos coming out victorious twice and Man City the other – leading Ancelotti to label their rivalry a new ‘Clasico’ ahead of their latest clash.
In all three of those prior games, the victors have gone on to win the Champions League trophy – in Man City’s case, for the first time in their history back in 2023.
Even with both team’s shaky Champions League form to this point – and City’s Premier League woes – according to Sky Sports, Ancelotti predicted the winner of their recent meeting will go all the way again ahead of the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
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“It is always a headache to face Manchester City,” he said.
“It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. Will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It’s such a high-level game you have to be at your best in every aspect.
“Seems like it’s a ‘Clasico’ because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition. It’s the most difficult game we can face, regardless of form.
“I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.”
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