Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has predicted the winner of the knockout round playoff tie with Manchester City will go on to win the Champions League.
Real Madrid and Man City failed to meet their high standards in the league phase, with both teams having to settle for a place in the playoff round.
Los Blancos finished in 11th position and one point adrift of the top eight, while Man City had to work hard to secure a spot in the knockout phase.
The Citizens required a win in their final league phase match to secure a 22nd-place finish and set up a mouthwatering tie against the reigning European champions.
Pep Guardiola's side will have home advantage for Tuesday's first leg, before the two teams recommence battle in next Wednesday's return leg in the Spanish capital.
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Ancelotti predicts Champions League winner
Man City and Real Madrid are set to lock horns in the Champions League knockout rounds for the fourth consecutive season.
In each of the last three campaigns, the winner of the tie between the two clubs has gone on to lift the Champions League trophy.
Real Madrid prevailed in the 2021-22 semi-finals before Man City got revenge in the final four of the 2022-23 competition.
The two European giants then faced off in last season's quarter-finals, with Real Madrid winning a penalty shootout at the Etihad Stadium on the way to winning the coveted trophy at Wembley.
Given the recent record between the two clubs, Ancelotti believes the 2024-25 Champions League winner will come from this tie, as he declared that the game feels like a "Clasico".
"It is always a headache to face Man City," the Real Madrid boss told reporters in Monday's pre-match press conference.
"It will be a difficult game, hard to predict. It will depend a lot on the attitude and confidence of the teams. It's such a high-level game you have to be at your best in every aspect."
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Ancelotti makes "Clasico" claim
"It seems like it's a Clasico because we have played each other a lot of times in this competition. It's the most difficult game we can face, regardless of form.
"They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager out there. It's a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think.
"I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition."
Ancelotti is dealing with a defensive injury crisis ahead of Tuesday's first leg, with the Real Madrid manager unable to call upon Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal.
As a result, young defender Raul Asencio is set to resume his centre-back partnership with Aurelien Tchouameni, who has had to move away from his preferred midfield position to help provide cover in defence.
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