Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said they will play 12 vs 11 against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg as they will have the fans at Santiago Bernabeu as the extra man.
Real Madrid are the defending Champions League winners and the Spanish behemoths will have to get the better of Manchester City if they want to seal their place in the final of the competition.
Manchester City and Real Madrid will square off at the latter’s home stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, in the Champions League semi-final first leg in their upcoming game which kicks off at 12:30 am Indian Standard Time on May 10.
Real Madrid goes into the first leg game against Manchester City on the back of their 2-1 win over Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final. Speaking after Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey title, Carlo Ancelotti said they will have the home advantage when they take on Manchester City in UCL semi-final first leg.
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Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid will have fans as 12th man in UCL semi-final first leg vs Manchester City
“We will have an advantage vs City on Tuesday: our fans at the Bernabeu. We will play 12 vs 11,” Carlo Ancelotti said [via Madrid Universal].
The Real Madrid manager also vowed they will do everything possible to reach the final of the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti said: “We will fight for the Champions League. We will do everything possible to play another final.”
Real Madrid suffered defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in January this year. They are also set to be beaten by Barcelona to the La Liga title this season.
But Real Madrid have won the Copa del Rey title and are also aiming for the Champions League title. Speaking of their Copa del Rey title triumph, Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid did something important in the final. He also said Real Madrid now prepare for their upcoming game against Manchester City happy and motivated.
Carlo Ancelotti said: “We have done something important tonight. Now we prepare for the game vs City happy and motivated.
“The first 30 minutes were very good. Then the players got nervous and I had to calm them. They should focus on playing football. Only that.”
