Carlo Ancelotti said that Manchester City vs. Real Madrid “feels like a Clasico now” ahead of their Champions League knockout match.
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Man City vs Real Madrid is now like “Clasico”
Both teams will meet in the Champions League for the fourth season in a row.
City and Madrid have faced each other in the Champions League semifinals or quarterfinals, with Madrid triumphing in 2022 and 2024, while City claimed victory in 2023.
However, they will meet in the knockout phase playoff at the Etihad Stadium following underwhelming European campaigns.
Still, Ancelotti believes their rivalry with City “feels like a Clasico now.”
“It feels like a Clasico now, because we’ve played them now for many years,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference on Monday.
“I still think City are one of the best teams in Europe. City have the best coach [Pep Guardiola] in this competition. It’s one of the most difficult games you can have … And the same goes for us, we’re competitive, despite the emergency we face.”
“It’s the most difficult rival, the most important rival, and the best manager,” Ancelotti said. “The team that goes through to the next round has the possibility to go far in the competition. In the last years, the team that won this tie, won the Champions League.”
“Always a nightmare preparing for the game”
In 2022, Madrid defeated City 6-5 on aggregate in the Champions League semifinals after a dramatic 3-1 second-leg win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid also prevailed in the 2024 quarterfinals, needing a penalty shootout to separate the teams.
City then triumphed in the 2023 semifinals, eliminating Madrid.
Nonetheless, Ancelotti said facing Guardiola’s side is “always a nightmare.”
“[Guardiola] is a coach who always tries to bring something new to his team,” Ancelotti said.
“He’s done a lot for football in terms of possession, pressing, playing out from the back. He’s an innovator. I have a lot of respect for him … It’s always a nightmare preparing for the game.”
