Real Madrid’s Champions League Journey: Ancelotti’s Optimism Amidst City’s Struggles
In the world of European football, the Champions League is the ultimate stage where giants clash and legends are made. This season, the narrative has taken an intriguing twist with Manchester City’s unexpected struggles, and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti has weighed in with his thoughts. The Italian manager believes that City’s potential exit from the competition could be a blessing in disguise for his team.
Carlo Ancelotti, the seasoned manager of Real Madrid, has expressed that Manchester City‘s elimination from the Champions League would be advantageous for Real Madrid. Despite City’s current struggles in the Premier League, Ancelotti insists they remain “one of the candidates” to win the competition.
Real Madrid recently secured a 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg at the Bernabéu, ensuring their place in the playoffs with an outside chance of making the top eight. Meanwhile, City suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, casting doubt on their Champions League future.
When asked if City’s failure to progress would be beneficial, Ancelotti responded affirmatively in his post-match news conference. “Yes,” he said, “because Manchester City are still, for me, one of the candidates to win the Champions League again.”
In recent years, Madrid and City have become familiar foes in the Champions League knockout stages. Their encounters include Madrid’s triumphs in 2022 and 2024, when they lifted the coveted trophy.
This season, Madrid’s European campaign has been a rollercoaster ride. They’ve secured victories against Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, and Salzburg. However, they’ve also faced setbacks with losses to Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool. This leaves them with 12 points from seven games, sitting in 16th place.
On the other hand, City’s recent form has been less than stellar. They find themselves in 25th place with just seven points, outside the playoff positions, after three losses and a draw in their last four games. Their latest defeat at the Parc des Princes was particularly disheartening, as they squandered a 2-0 lead.
Ancelotti remains pragmatic about Madrid’s prospects in the playoff round. “You never know,” he said when asked about the possibility of facing a tough opponent. “Only one thing is clear. We have to win our last game, and at this club, that’s not new.”
- Real Madrid’s current position: 16th place with 12 points
- Manchester City’s current position: 25th place with 7 points
- Madrid’s recent victories: Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Salzburg
- Madrid’s recent losses: Lille, AC Milan, Liverpool
- City’s recent form: Three losses and a draw in last four games
As the Champions League drama unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how these narratives develop. Will Real Madrid capitalize on Manchester City’s struggles, or will City find a way to turn their fortunes around? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the excitement of the Champions League never disappoints.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland,Rodrigo Faez
