Ancelotti believes Guardiola is underestimating Manchester City’s chances against Real Madrid in their Champions League clash.
After a dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle, Guardiola claimed that Manchester City had only a 1% chance of beating Real Madrid, the 15-time European Cup winners, in the Champions League. However, Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti believes Guardiola is deliberately downplaying City’s chances ahead of the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
City, trailing 3-2 from the first leg, face Madrid with a slim hope of progression. Ancelotti expressed his doubts about Guardiola’s comments, suggesting that Guardiola likely thinks City has more than a 1% chance. “Tomorrow, I’ll ask him — do you really think you have a one percent chance?” Ancelotti remarked.
Ancelotti stressed that Madrid has a slight advantage but emphasized that they must take full advantage and replicate their successful game plan from the first leg.
The Real Madrid coach also confirmed that defender Antonio Rudiger was fit to start after recovering from injury, though Lucas Vazquez would only be available as a substitute.
Ancelotti also voiced his frustration with recent Spanish refereeing decisions, which he felt were controversial. However, he expressed greater comfort with Champions League officiating, stating, “In Europe, there’s less controversy, less VAR intervention, and the quality of refereeing is high.”
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, sent off for dissent in a La Liga match against Osasuna, was defended by his teammate Federico Valverde. Valverde praised Bellingham’s passionate and determined playing style, stating, “I always want him to be like that, showing character and fighting for the team.”
Channelstv
