UEFA must have solid data that presents a matchup between Manchester City and Real Madrid as being an all-timer or a money spinner or even the most popular among fans because for the fourth time in five years, these two giants are ready to go head-to-head in the knockouts of the UEFA Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti is ready and so is Pep Guardiola. Both managers have met in the past and even taken charge of the same team – Bayern Munich – in the past. They understand each other and are considered two of the greatest at what they do.
They also understand the high-stakes involved which goes beyond which team progresses. For both, it is about personal pride and ego just as much as it is about their teams making it to the semifinals.
Guardiola has already stated that his team will go for the title which means that he has woven it into the team’s fabric for the next two weeks that Real Madrid is just another team to beat.
“Now we are a club who face this type of competition with the best teams of the world. But it is no more than one decade and a decade is not enough.”
“People say ‘once we have won it, it’s done’ No. Absolutely not.”
“We are, in terms of history, new. But we have a sense of ‘okay, we did it’. And of course if we did it once, we can do it again.”
Ancelotti, meanwhile, has warned the Cityzens ahead that things will not be the same.
“We played without courage, without personality – courage and personality are fundamental in this type of game, we lacked them in the second leg [of last season’s clash with City].”
“In terms of courage and personality, we’ve had time to prepare for the game, we’ve prepared very well, and I am confident that we will give our best and we’ve got the quality to compete.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti’s defensive general Antonio Rudiger has singled out Erling Haaland once again. You will recall that he personally handled the Norwegian in the first leg last season which played into City’s hands.
Well, Rudiger’s latest comments suggest that the battle is more personal which could worry Real Madrid fans.
“It was a good game at home last year. We all did a great job by keeping Haaland quiet that evening. We controlled the ball well. Haaland didn’t get much ball,” he said.
“Now for this game, the plan will be the same as last year, to try to control dangerous players like Haaland. I will take that duel as personal.”
While Rudiger is spoiling for war with Haaland, Rodri is letting the world know that Guardiola’s presence is enough for his team to triumph on the day.
“What can I say about Pep!” he said. “You watched it in the last few years.”
“Tomorrow as always we need the best of him – in terms of the speech, the tactics and the positive energy. It never goes down, the importance of this manager for us.”
Real Madrid vs Manchester City is one of two fixtures on 9 April 2024, the other being Arsenal vs Bayern Munich.
