Carlo Ancelotti Warns Man City: We’re Ready to Fight Until the Last Minute

By Willow Austin
Published on 2024-03-16 00:52:55

For the third time in a row, Manchester City is set to clash with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti asserting that his team will be prepared to battle until the final whistle.

Last season, Manchester City triumphed over Real Madrid, with a 1-1 draw in the first leg followed by a resounding 4-0 victory for City at the Etihad during the return fixture. This defeat knocked out the 14-time champions and propelled City to their second final in the prestigious competition.

Looking ahead at the upcoming match, Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of being prepared to face Manchester City for any team aspiring to win the tournament. He acknowledged City as one of the favorites in Europe and expressed readiness to fight over the two legs of the encounter.

In an interview with 90mins, Ancelotti stated, “City are one of the favourites, we all think so and it will be very hard. The idea we have is to win the competition and, to do that, you must beat the best. City may be the best in Europe at the moment. It will be tough, of course, but if you want to be European champions, you must eliminate them.”

He continued, “It’s going to be a great quarter-final and we will play them with confidence, fighting until the last minute as always. I don’t know what [City] think there, it will be similar to here. One year we won, and one year they won. We will see. It is a very close tie. Very close. I think there is no favourite.”

Reacting to the draw, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged Real Madrid as the ‘king’ of the competition, given their 14 titles. He noted that facing the Spanish giants annually is becoming somewhat of a tradition.

“It looks like a little bit of a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition,” Guardiola remarked, expressing hope that City could enter the match in good form. He added, “but there are still a few weeks before the first game in Madrid.”

The anticipated clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams gearing up to give their all in pursuit of Champions League glory. With both coaches emphasizing the need for readiness and determination, fans can expect an intense battle on the pitch. As the two giants of European football go head-to-head once again, the outcome of this closely contested tie remains uncertain, making it a must-watch for football enthusiasts worldwide.