Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti doesn't accept Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's calculation claiming Real Madrid has a 99 percent chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League while the English side has just 1 percent possibility of making it to the knockout stage of the competition.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti reacts during the Spanish Copa del Rey quarterfinal match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 26, 2023. (Photo by Pablo Morano/Xinhua)

Ancelotti spoke to the press on Tuesday ahead of the return leg of its Champions League play-off tie, after Madrid last week scored two late goals to win in Manchester, in a game that showed Man City's defensive problems this season. Guardiola has played down his side's chances of progressing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday night, but Ancelotti was less sure.

"I don't think he (Guardiola) really thinks that, but I am going to ask him before the games," said the Real Madrid coach.

"We don't think we have 99 percent chance of qualifying: we have a slight advantage and we have to try and take advantage of it and play the same level as in the first leg, because it worked out well," commented Ancelotti.

The Italian said he expected a game that was "entertaining and difficult."

"We are trying to prepare well for it and get players back from injury. We know how hard these games where you play for everything in 90 minutes are," he added.

The coach explained that having a first-leg lead was a "physiological question," and that it was best "not to make calculations, but you can't forget that you have an advantage."

The coach also commented that Antonio Rudiger had recovered from his hamstring injury and would be able to start, but added Lucas Vazquez was not fully fit, although the full-back could be on the bench. 

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)