Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, believes his team have a stronger chance of retaining the UEFA Champions League title as they begin their knockout phase challenge starting with a trip to Liverpool in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night.
The tie is a rematch of last season’s final which Los Blancos won 1-0 in Paris for a record-extending 14th title, edging past Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City on the way.
Real topped Group F of the current campaign ahead of RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic and Ancelotti is of the view Europe’s top guns still see the men in white as a threat.
“I think that this year we have more chances. Our rivals also see that. They see us as a bigger candidate to win than they did last year,” he said ahead of the game at Anfield.
Liverpool have failed to defeat Marid in six Champions League games which is their longest-ever run without success against a single opponent in the competition.
One of such results was a 3-0 loss at Anfield during the group stage of the 2014-15 season. Ancelotti does not think his men will be able to secure such a result this time owing to how Liverpool have evolved as a formidable force under manager Jurgen Klopp.
When James & Cristiano combined at Anfield 🪄#UCL pic.twitter.com/vjxniNfUpN
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2023
“I have good memories from that game,” Ancelotti continued. “I think that in that sense Liverpool have changed a lot during these past eight years. They’ve evolved into a much stronger and more powerful team.
“With a lot more quality. I think that is good for us to try to get that result again as a motivation. But as for actually repeating that result, I think it will be a bit complicated. Almost impossible.”
Tuesday’s other Champions League games will see Napoli – led by mercurial Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen – travel to last season’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
