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Actual Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed Pep Guardiola’s declare that Manchester Metropolis solely have a one p.c probability of reaching the final 16 of the Champions League.
Guardiola was downbeat on the weekend when requested to evaluate tomorrow night time’s playoff second leg on the Santiago Bernabeu with Madrid holding a 3-2 benefit following the primary recreation on the Etihad final week.
Skilled Italian Ancelotti says his aspect have a “small benefit” and thinks the previous Barcelona boss is being a little bit mischievous.
He stated: “He actually doesn’t assume that. Tomorrow I’m going to ask him earlier than the sport. He thinks he has extra [chance], we don’t assume we’ve a 99 per cent [chance]. We expect we’ve a small benefit, however we have to reap the benefits of it and play the identical recreation as within the first leg, which went effectively.”
The scoreline will not be 0-0!
The previous adage that the ‘scoreline is 0-0’ forward of a second leg was additionally rubbished by Ancelotti, who says the gamers know what they should do.
He added: ”You possibly can inform the gamers that we don’t have the benefit and that we’ve to method the sport as if it have been 0-0, however that’s nonsense and no one believes you. There’s an goal reality and that’s that we scored three targets and Metropolis two.
“That may’t be modified. What could be modified is the workforce’s perspective and method to the sport with out making calculations. The target is to play the identical recreation as per week in the past, however we are able to’t neglect that we’ve the benefit.”
5️⃣ @BellinghamJude
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— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 18, 2025
The workforce is enjoying effectively, insists Ancelotti
Madrid have gained simply considered one of their final three video games however Ancelotti will not be overly involved given these matches have come in opposition to Atletico Madrid, Metropolis and Osasuna, when his aspect have been lowered to 10 males within the first half after Jude Bellingham was despatched off.
“The final three video games have been demanding and we’ve solely bought one good outcome, which was in opposition to Metropolis, however the workforce is enjoying effectively,” he stated.
“That provides us confidence and a constructive spirit. We’ve got to proceed enjoying effectively, with high quality and, above all, what has stood out in the previous few video games has been the sacrifice and collective dedication that we’ve been capable of have.”
Rudiger returns
Madrid fielded a makeshift again 4 on the Etihad final week however can be boosted tomorrow by the return of key centre-half Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany defender has missed the final 5 video games with a hamstring damage however will begin in opposition to Metropolis, enabling Ancelotti to maneuver Aurelien Tchouameni into his extra customary defensive midfield position.
“Rudiger can play from the beginning, Tchouameni can play as a pivot and [Raul] Asencio can play as a centre-back,” he stated.
