"We don't like playing against Manchester City"

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that he hopes Friday's draw will bring a clash with Celtic in the round of 16 of the Champions League, rather than with Manchester City, with whom he confessed that they do not like to play.

“We have to wait for the draw, in theory if we get City it will be more complicated for both of us but we have to wait,” he assured at a press conference.

“Manchester City are more likely to win the Champions than Celtic. By structure and quality it is quite simple to answer which one I choose because we don't like to play against City, but if we have to do it we will play like the last few years,” he added.

Ancelotti regretted that the image of his team in recent games has not been given throughout the league phase of the Champions League in which they lost to Lille, Milan and Liverpool.

“We played well, we gave a good performance and we were a solid and serious team. We are happy. It's a pity we didn't wake up earlier in the competition, but that's the way it is. We are happy to be where we are at the moment,” he said.

The Italian coach was critical of the new Champions League format. “We have to respect the classification but I don't like this format because there are too many games and my idea of football is to take away games to reduce the wear and tear on the players,” he stressed.

Although he acknowledged that the two extra games in the Champions League will not take their toll on his squad. “It doesn't hurt because we are in a good dynamic and I think the team is in a good moment physically and mentally. We are more solid. I have a lot of confidence in the team because I see very good things on the pitch,” he added.

Finally, he praised Luka Modric's performance, who received a standing ovation when he was substituted by the rival fans, and Rodrygo's good scoring streak. “Luka always plays well, at the highest level and deserves the support of the entire stadium,” he praised the Croatian.

“Rodrygo, since my first year, when he scored that late brace against City and helped us a lot to win the Champions League, I always see him well. There are times when he scores more, others less, but he always works well and helps the team,” he said.

 

January 29, 2025