S Poddar
Carlo Ancelotti is of the opinion that the holder of this season’s UEFA Champions League will be between Real Madrid and Manchester City, two teams that the Italian coach has predicted before. The two European giants have played against each other in the last stages of the tournament for the third consecutive year, wherein the winner went on to lift the coveted trophy. This season, they will again face off in a play-off round that promises high drama and intensity.
The first leg is to be played on Etihad Stadium grounds, while these grounds have witnessed many memorable European nights. However, although City have not been consistent so far this season, Ancelotti still goes all out in maintaining his opinion on Pep Guardiola, considering him the best in business.
“It is always a headache to face Manchester City,” the Italian tactician admitted. “It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. It 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.”
Having won the Champions League trophy five times as a manager, Ancelotti knows exactly what it takes to navigate the pressure of these monumental clashes. With multiple thrilling encounters between these two sides in recent years, he acknowledged the growing intensity of this rivalry.
“It 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, irrespective of form.”
Guardiola is renowned as a tactician in his handling of City; Guardiola likes surprises by plotting out different ways, so one may understand how his opposite end feels.
This aspect has Ancelotti feeling for Guardiola because despite the coach’s great wealth of experience, Ancelotti values his opponent.
“They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager out there. It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think,” Ancelotti said.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Real Madrid manager is convinced that the team progressing from this tie will go on to win the competition. The pattern in recent seasons supports this belief, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already thrilling contest.
Madrid have been very strong in European competition, but not so in La Liga recently. They only took one point from their last two games. They now lead by only one point at the top of the table, which means they will go into this game with a concern over their form domestically.
Matters are not any better as Madrid are trying to get through a defensive line injuries. Lucas Vazquez has joined a long list of casualties that has names like Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal. Despite these setbacks, Ancelotti shows unwavering belief in his squad for a match at the highest level.
“I think we can be competitive despite the emergency we have,” he said in his pre-match press conference in Manchester.
Though Madrid is a concern on the defensive side, their attack is the strongest. Rodrygo is likely to take to the field alongside an exciting quartet- consisting of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. So everybody is always at risk of facing a sudden change in the game due to those four.
Rodrygo, in particular, has a history of producing magic against City. The Brazilian has found the net four times against them, including a dramatic double in the 2022 semi-final that saw Madrid stage a miraculous comeback.
It’s not a team I like playing against because they make it really tough, but it’s true that I’ve been happy to play against them in the past, and hopefully, I’ll be again,” Rodrygo said.
The first leg will be hosted at the Etihad, and hopefully for City, it will be their chance to make the most of home advantage and inch closer to another European triumph. However, Madrid’s pedigree in this competition is unmatched, and they have built a legacy of overcoming adversity in the Champions League.
There is a lot to be said for that. As the footballing world prepares to witness this magnificent clash, the argument is ongoing as to which side is favored. City’s last campaign was not quite as potent, but their squad depth and tactical discipline make them a difficult team to beat and seem totally ready to carry on where they stopped last season. On the other hand, there is Madrid’s rich history, which can make them a wrecking ball regardless of the circumstances.
For Liverpool fans hoping their team could mount a serious challenge in this year’s tournament, Ancelotti’s prediction might come as a disappointment. His confidence in Madrid and City’s superiority suggests that he doesn’t see any other club being able to match their level in the competition.
With both having world-class talent and tactical brilliance, this tie promises to be another unforgettable chapter in their growing rivalry. Whether it’s Madrid experience or City’s hunger for more European glory, one thing is certain: whoever emerges victorious from this battle will likely have hands on the Champions League trophy come the final in June.
