Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he expects his side’s Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg at Manchester City on Wednesday to be “spectacular” without the need for tactical “magic”.
City drew their first leg in Madrid and won the return game 4-0 in the semi-finals on their way to winning the competition under manager Pep Guardiola last season.
“There are many strong teams in Europe fighting to win this competition,” said Ancelotti, praising Jude Bellingham as Madrid’s top scorer sat beside him.
“Games against City have always been spectacular. Tomorrow will be the same. Pep can be calm. I won’t be doing any magic. We know each other really well.”
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City took a second-minute lead through Phil Foden in Madrid before Ruben Dias’ own-goal and a Rodrygo goal made it 2-1 at the break.
Foden and Josko Gvardiol then put the Cityzens back in front, with Federico Valverde levelling 11 minutes from time – and Ancelotti spoke about City top scorer Erling Haaland.
Who will come out on top in Round 2? 😏#UCL pic.twitter.com/hcfQ4HXWe1
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 15, 2024
“If we are talking about individuals, Haaland is one of the most dangerous players City have,” the Italian observed. “He didn’t appear much in the first leg but Haaland could be one of the best strikers in the world right now.
“He is always dangerous. We don’t have to evaluate what happened in the past. We have to evaluate bearing in mind what happened a week ago, and believe in what we are doing today.
“The last game was close, now anything can happen. We believe we have the necessary quality to create problems. Nothing stops me from sleeping. The only thing that will stop me is if I eat too much tonight.”
City v Madrid stats ‘for fans’
Madrid’s 14 Champions League wins make them the most successful team in the history of the competition and they knocked City out in dramatic fashion in the 2021/22 season.
“You can look at stats all the way you want – stats are made to be broken,” said Ancelotti, whose side are top of the Spanish Liga.
“There are many instances of Madrid not winning in a place, then they have won. Stats are for the fans. They are made to be broken.”
