Ancelotti Responds to Guardiola’s "1% Chance" Claim for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Ahead of the highly anticipated Champions League Round of 16 second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has responded to his counterpart Pep Guardiola’s assertion that City have "only a 1% chance" of progressing to the quarterfinals.
Ancelotti Dismisses Guardiola’s Claim
In a press conference on Tuesday, Ancelotti dismissed Guardiola’s estimation, stating: "1% chance? I don’t think even he believes that. I will ask him before the match. He must think he has a better chance than that. We do not think we have a 99% chance of winning either. We only have a small advantage that we must capitalize on by repeating our performance from the first leg (3-2 victory)."
Rudiger’s Return and Squad Updates
Ancelotti confirmed the return of German defender Antonio Rudiger from injury, which could allow French international Aurélien Tchouaméni to resume his place in midfield.
"I have no doubts. Any doubts I had have been dispelled. Rudiger can play as a starter, Tchouaméni can play as a defensive midfielder, Asensio can play as a central defender. Valverde, we have to see how he feels. He trained normally but had some minor discomfort after the Osasuna match. Raul (Asensio) can also play as a full-back," Ancelotti explained.
Real Madrid will however remain without Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Lucas Vazquez due to injuries.
Ancelotti on Controversial Refereeing Decisions
The Italian coach also addressed the recent controversies surrounding refereeing decisions in Spain, claiming that Real Madrid have been "disadvantaged" by incomprehensible decisions in their last three La Liga matches against Espanyol Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Osasuna.
Ancelotti expressed greater confidence in the officiating in the Champions League, stating that there are "fewer controversies, less VAR intervention, and the referees are the best in their respective countries."
City’s Desire for Redemption
Manchester City, meanwhile, will be eager to overturn the 3-2 deficit from the first leg and prove their superiority against Real Madrid. The English champions have a formidable squad, boasting the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Riyad Mahrez.
A Tactical Battle of Wits
The second leg promises to be a tactical chess match between two of the most renowned coaches in the world. Ancelotti’s experience and defensive prowess will be put to the test against Guardiola’s attacking philosophy and tactical flexibility.
Conclusion
The Champions League Round of 16 second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City is poised to be a thrilling encounter with significant implications for both teams. Ancelotti’s response to Guardiola’s "1% chance" claim sets the stage for an intriguing battle of words and tactics. The match will undoubtedly be a testament to the exceptional talent and strategic acumen of these two legendary clubs.
