Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed that his opposing song Pep Guardiola was not entirely fair when he claimed that Manchester City has a 1% chance of continuing in their Champions League-Off against Los Blancos. This requires an attack on the Santiago Bernabeu, where they are on their way with a 3-2 disadvantage of the first stage, thanks to the stop-time winner of Jude Bellingham.
The German defender Antonio Rudiger trained as normal for the second day in a row and is expected to return to the starting line-up against City, while David Alaba will also be available, but has not started since December 2023. Ancelotti was asked Van Raul Asencio if he had doubts about who to fall, with Aurelien Tchouameni often his preferred option.
“I don't have them. You? That is the doubt that you have that I have had, but that has been removed. Give me the chance to question you tomorrow. I am kidding … Rudiger can play from the start, Tchouameni can play like a pivot and Asencio can play like a center-back. We will see what Valverde is, who was injured against Osasuna. Raul can also play back as a right. “
Valverde is expected to be fit to be confronted with Manchester City, but Ancelotti confirmed that Lucas Vazquez would be out, after he would previously predict a return for the 33-year-old.
“Not yet. Lucas Vazquez will be on the couch, but he has not yet completed his recovery plan.”
Los Blancos was praised for their defensive working speed in Etihad, and Ancelotti was asked if he had seen the same thing in their La Liga tracts against Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and their defeat against Espanyol.
“They have been three demanding games. We have not only received a good result, the team works well. This gives us trust and a positive spirit. We must continue to play well, with quality and I emphasize the sacrifice and collective dedication. “
Much of the press conference was dominated by the repeated complaints from Ancelotti about, but it was picked up in the Spanish press that Guardiola had set the chances of his side at 1%.
“He really doesn't think that. Tomorrow I will ask him before the competition. He thinks he has more, just as we don't think we have 99%. We think we have a small advantage, benefit from it and play the same game as in the first stage, which went well, “Ancelotti explained.
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