Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes to avoid Manchester City in the playoffs as they couldn’t secure a direct qualification to the last 16.
Real Madrid hope to avoid Manchester City in the next round, manager Carlo Ancelotti said after they beat Brest 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League playoff where they will be seeded.
Ancelotti hinted that he would prefer to face Celtic over Manchester City in the playoffs.
Despite Ligue beating Brest 3-0 on the final matchday of the league phase, Madrid finished 11th in the table, not enough for automatic entry into the knockout stages of the competition’s new format. As such, the defending champions will be forced to play a play-off match in order to progress into the last 16.
Los Blancos learned their potential opponents immediately after the full-time whistle: they will play either Celtic, who finished 21st or Manchester City, who were 22nd
Ancelotti Shares His Thoughts on a Possible Clash with Manchester City
Speaking on the matter of facing Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that would be a tough challenge.
“City or Celtic? Well, City have more chances to win the Champions League so… We don’t like playing against Manchester City. If we get City it will be more difficult. Now we wait for the draw,” he said.
The draw is scheduled for Friday, January 31, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
Defending champion Madrid have also found their rhythm late in the competition, and Ancelotti said it was a shame “not to have woken up earlier in this competition because now we are in a good dynamic”.
“We have to respect the table. I don’t like this format because there are too many games and I’m in favour of playing less to wear out the players less,” explained Ancelotti, who has always complained about the soccer calendar.
“Playing two more games doesn’t hurt us because the team is in a good physical and mental moment. I have full confidence in this team because I see very good things,” he added.
‘We’re Not Afraid Of Anyone’ – Courtois
Madrid have faced City in the Champions League for the past three seasons, beating them twice and losing once, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the 15-time European champions are “not afraid of anyone”.
“I’ve said it before, we didn’t miss out on the top eight today, but in other games,” Courtois told Movistar.
“We’ll have to play the play-off, and see who we play against. It’s our job to be ready, and wait. But we’re not afraid of anyone.
“It is what it is. We played them in knockout games last year, two years ago, and three years ago. If we have to play City, if you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the best.”
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