In previous seasons, Man City and Real Madrid met in the semi -finals or quarter -finals of the Champions League. The Spanish team surpassed the opponent in the seasons 2021-2022, 2023-2024 before winning the championship. Man City surpassed Real in 2022-2023, the premise to win the historic treble.
This season, both teams did not successfully play in the group stage, causing them to meet soon in the play-off round. With Man City, they are still facing many difficulties when ranked 5th in the Premier League. While Real Madrid, despite leading Laliga, they had a crisis of injury, causing a series of key defenders like Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba could not play Man City.
“The feeling of Man City vs Real Madrid is like a Clasico match, because we have played like that for many years. I still think Man City is one of the strongest teams in Europe.
They have Pep Guardiola, the best coach in this tournament. This is the most difficult match you face. Therefore, we have to show competitiveness, despite the difficult situation that the team is facing, ”Carlo Ancelotti said.
In 2022, Real Madrid defeated Man City with a score of 6-5 after two Champions League semi-finals, including a 3-1 dramatic victory in the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu. Meanwhile in the quarterfinals of the season 2023-2024, Real surpassed the opponent after a penalty shootout of 11m. Meanwhile, Man City won Real with a total score of 5-1 in the season 2022-2023, before winning the championship.
"It is the most difficult opponent, the most important opponent and the best coach. Which team in the next round is likely to go far in the Champions League. In recent years, which team has won in the match pair This will then win the Champions League, "the Real Madrid coach added.
Ancelotti said that the confrontation with Man City of Guardiola "is always a headache". He pointed out: “Guardiola is a coach always trying to bring something new to his team. He did a lot for football in terms of controlling the ball, putting pressure, playing football from behind. He is an improvement.
I respect Guardiola. Always a nightmare when preparing for matches against Man City, because Guardiola always has ideas that make you think. ”
In 2022, striker Rodrygo was the one who shined when the two teams met, scoring two goals in 1 minute to help Real Madrid eliminate Man City dramatic.
"I talked two or three days with midfielder Fede Valverde about the match with City. I asked him if we ever felt that feeling again. It was the most special night in my career in my career Sometimes I feel happy to play with Man City, sometimes not.
The match Man City vs Real Madrid will take place at 3:00 on 12.2.
