Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the new UEFA Champions League format is more difficult than formats from previous years, Afrosport reports.
This season’s edition saw the introduction of a 36-team league phase which they failed to finish in the top eight but rather in 11th spot.
This saw them face Manchester City in the knockout playoffs for a place in the round of 16. Madrid defeated the Citizens 6-3 on aggregate to set up a last-16 tie with fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Ancelotti’s men have the edge with a 2-1 win from the first leg and the Italian tactician wants his side to remain focused ahead of the return leg on Wednesday.
“If we win this game it will allow us to keep dreaming with this competition like we’ve done these past few years. This Round of 16 is more difficult than the previous years, but we’re confident as usual to keep fighting for this competition until the last game,” he said.
“It is important when we’re preparing these games to try to make the players focused on the technical and tactical aspects because they already control all the rest: strong motivation, great excitement, desire to do their best… which is absolutely normal in this kind of games.”
🙌 IT’S MATCHDAY! 🙌
🆚 @AtletiEnglish
🕰 21:00 CET
🏟️ Metropolitano pic.twitter.com/22f2gSEuUL— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2025
Madrid are the current Champions League holders and will be gunning for a 16th title if they reach the final in Munich and win.
They will face either Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals if they manage to scale through on aggregate at the Metropolitano.
