### **Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti Backs Winner of City Clash as Champions League Favourite**
**Category:** Football News
**Title:** Ancelotti Tips Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Winner as Champions League Favourite
**Focus Keyphrase:** Real Madrid vs Manchester City Champions League
**Meta Description:** Carlo Ancelotti believes the winner of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Manchester City will be a strong contender for the title. The sides meet for the fourth consecutive season after both faced group stage struggles.
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed confidence that the winner of his team’s upcoming Champions League showdown with Manchester City will emerge as a strong contender to lift the trophy. This high-stakes encounter marks the fourth consecutive season the two European giants have crossed paths in the competition, underscoring their dominance on the continental stage.
The first leg of this eagerly anticipated tie is set for Tuesday in Manchester. However, this season’s clash arrives earlier than usual, as both teams experienced uncharacteristic struggles during the league phase of the newly formatted Champions League. Real Madrid and Manchester City each lost three of their eight group-stage matches, pushing them into the knockout phase under less dominant circumstances than in previous years.
Despite these challenges, history is on the side of the victor. The team that has emerged victorious from this fixture in the past three seasons has gone on to win the Champions League, a trend Ancelotti believes could very well continue. Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, the Italian tactician highlighted the significance of the tie, stating, *“Yes, the most difficult opponent, most important opponent, and against the best manager. I’m convinced the team that goes through in this tie will go very deep into the competition.”*
### **City’s Domestic Struggles and European Aspirations**
Manchester City’s path to the knockout stages was far from smooth. They narrowly secured their spot with a dramatic second-half comeback against Club Brugge in their final group match. Domestically, the defending Premier League champions have faced a dramatic downturn in form. After an unprecedented run of four consecutive league titles, Pep Guardiola’s side currently sits fourth in the table, a staggering 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
City endured a particularly rough patch between late October and December, winning just once in 13 games. Although their form has slightly improved in 2025, glaring weaknesses remain. Their defensive frailties were brutally exposed in a recent 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, raising questions about their ability to compete at the highest level in Europe.
### **Real Madrid Navigates Injuries in La Liga Battle**
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have maintained a strong position in La Liga, leading a tight three-way title race ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. However, they too have faced challenges this season, particularly due to a spate of injuries in their defensive line. Despite these setbacks, Ancelotti’s men have shown resilience, positioning themselves as serious contenders both domestically and in Europe.
The upcoming clash between these two football powerhouses is more than just a battle for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals—it could very well determine the next European champion. Both teams, despite their inconsistencies, possess the pedigree and experience to go all the way, making this tie one of the most compelling fixtures of the season.
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