Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Manchester City still gives Real Madrid Nightmares prior to the play-off first-stage on Tuesday from Tuesday in the Etihad.
City has only won eight of their last 23 games in all competitions, but the manager of Madrid insisted that the form goes out in the leading European rivalry of this era.
Ancelotti also believes that the winner will be favorites to lift the title at the May final in Munich, with Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
“It seems that it is a Clasico,” said the Italian, who won the competition five times as a manager. 'Whether they are form or not, City is one of the best teams in Europe. It is always a headache opposite the city. They still have the best manager there is. It is the most difficult game that we can face, whether they are in shape or not. If you are not 100 percent, you will not get the result.
'They are the most important rival with the best manager. It is a nightmare for me who prepares me for Pep (Guardiola) because he always has ideas that make you think.
'The team that passes this round has the opportunity to go far into the competition. The last three years won who won this draw the Champions League. Maybe it can also happen this year. '
City boss Guardiola admitted that he did not know which version of his side would appear on Tuesday – although he had an injury boost, with his entire defense and new £ 50 million midfielder Nico Gonzalez training prior to the draw.
“Of course it would be good to continue in the competition, for the club, for the prestige,” Guardiola said.
'I would like to feel that week after week, month after month, we are there. Before I feel it, yes, the team is consistent, we can do it. Now I don't know.
“We were unstable this season when we were not in the past. Of course we can perform well, I don't know how we will respond. This season we struggled a lot. '
Ancelotti -whose superstitious character lets the LaLiga champions stay in the same Manchester Hotel as for their penalty shootout -victory in the quarterfinals of last season -suggested that the match -up had come too early in the renewed UEFA format.
The parties meet after disappointing points in the phase of the 36-teams group stage.
“I am surprised that we are in a play-off,” the 65-year-old added. 'It is our own fault, but it is a bit surprising that we have to play this game if it can be a semi -final.
'I am surprised about the season of the city. They had a period in which it was difficult to continue with the injuries. But now the team I have seen the last few games is good, as usual competitive. I have no doubt about how strong city is. '
Guardiola has drawn a line under Madrid who Boycot's Ballon d'Or Ceremony, where Stads midfielder Rodri was crowned the best football player in the world. But Ancelotti doubled the decision in solidarity with number two Vinicius JR – comments that could add extra herbs to the occasion.
“I don't think it was the wrong decision,” said Ancelotti.
“We didn't want to participate because we thought Vinicius was the winner.
“It does not mean that we have no respect for Rodri, he is fantastic, but we and I thought Rodri earned the year before.”
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