Carlo Ancelotti exclusive: Real Madrid boss wants to repeat ‘best performance’ at Bernabeu against Manchester City
Published 18/02/2025 at 18:29 GMT
Real Madrid can book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League if they avoid defeat against Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off. Carlo Ancelotti believes the Spanish giants put on one of their best performances of the season in the first leg, and called on his side to replicate the display in the second. They won the first leg 3-2 thanks to Jude Bellingham's goal.
‘Not true’ – Ancelotti refutes Guardiola’s ‘1%’ claim ahead of Madrid-City second leg
Video credit: TNT Sports
Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid produced one of their best performances of the season in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Manchester City.
The Madrid manager has called on his side to replicate the display at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Los Blancos 3-2 up heading into the second leg.
Ancelotti believes his side have improved significantly after a slow start to the campaign that saw them miss out on automatic qualification for the last 16 of the competition.
"Last week we did really well, I thought it was one of our best performances this season," said the five-time Champions League-winning manager.
"We would like to repeat it tomorrow. I think we have improved a lot in the last month, the success is a good balance between quality and collective sacrifice.
"When you have a good balance there you can have success. If you have great quality but 0 sacrifice, you won't win, but if you have 100% sacrifice and no quality you won't win.
"Balance is really important to have success."
Erling Haaland gave his side a 1-0 lead at half-time during the first leg, but Kylian Mbappe equalised in the 60th minute.
Haaland restored his side's advantage with ten minutes of normal time remaining, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to secure a stunning Madrid victory in the closing stages.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/02/12/4096906-83075768-2560-1440.jpg)
Rodri banner a 'huge source of motivation' for Vinicius, says Ancelotti
Video credit: SNTV
Defending Premier League champions City have also struggled this term, with Pep Guardiola stating that his side only have a 1% chance of reaching the last 16 after the first leg loss.
However, Ancelotti insists that City still have more than enough quality to turn the tie around.
"I am surprised because I think that City is still a fantastic team," he said. "They suffered a lot with the injury to Rodri, they have difficulty in defence because Rodri is a fantastic player to help the back four.
"I still think that they are a fantastic team. It is not true [that Manchester City only have a 1% chance of getting through]. I think he said that, but I think they have a lot more chance than 1%.
"We understand that it will be a difficult game, an entertaining game, but no one can know now what is going to happen."
- VAR drama, post-match melee & red cards: The last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park had it all
- Slot charged by FA for red card fracas following Merseyside derby
- How to watch Aston Villa v Liverpool on TNT Sports and discovery+
This will be the tenth time Ancelotti and Guardiola have gone head-to-head in the Champions League, the most meetings of any two managers in the history of the competition.
Ancelotti joked that is tired of having to come up against his Spanish rival.
"I am tired, I am tired of it," he added. "I still think he is a fantastic manager. I am tired of playing against him, but it is good to see him all the time.
"It is not a different challenge, we understand that it is not a game between me and him.
"It is a game between Manchester City and Real Madrid, two squads full of fantastic players."
---
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Related Matches
Advertisement
Advertisement