"Manchester City vs Real Madrid feels like a Clàsico now"- Carlo Ancelotti

Los Blancos boss said Manchester City vs Real Madrid feels like a Clàsico now” as the two teams prepare to lock horns in the Champions League for the fourth season in a row, and said the tie’s winner to “go far in the competition”. 

In recent years, City and Madrid have met in the Champions League semifinals or quarterfinals- with Madrid securing wins in 2022 and 2024, and City in 2023- but this time, they cross swords in the knockout phase playoff, after disappointing European campaigns. 

City is heading into this fixture on the back of an underwhelming season- they’re fifth in the Premier League table- while Madrid, despite sitting at the top of the LaLiga standings, is amidst an injury crisis that’s seen them without the services of veteran defenders Dani Carvajal, Èder Militào, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba.  

"It feels like a Clásico now, because we've played them for many years," Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference in Manchester on Monday. "I still think City are one of the best teams in Europe. City has 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."

In 2022, Madrid defeated City 6-5 on aggregate in the Champions League semifinals, winning a dramatic second leg 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabèu. All three goals came in additional time, while the 2024 semifinal was decided via a penalty shootout. 

Madrid went on to clinch the Champions League on both occasions, with City winning after removing Madrid from the competition in 2023. 

Ancelotti said facing Guardiola’s team is “always a headache”   

“He's 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."

Rodrygo was the difference maker when these two sides met in 2022, scoring twice inside a minute to see Madrid progress. 

“I was talking two or three days to [midfielder] Fede Valverde, about the game against City," Rodrygo said.

"I asked him if we'd ever feel that emotion again. It was the most special night of my career ... Sometimes I've been happy playing against [City], other times not so much. I'm in good form and I can be decisive. But I try to be decisive in every game, not just against City."