Ancelotti dismisses Guardiola’s claim as Real Madrid prepare for Man City

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti rejects Pep Guardiola’s “one percent” remark ahead of Champions League clash.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks during a press conference on February 18, 2025. Photo by Susana Vera/Reuters

By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has downplayed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s claim that his team has only a “one percent” chance of advancing past the Spanish giants in their upcoming Champions League clash. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ancelotti acknowledged that Real Madrid holds a small advantage after their 3-2 comeback victory at the Etihad last week but emphasized that the tie remains far from decided.

“Honestly, not even Guardiola believes what he said,” Ancelotti remarked with a smile. “I’ll ask him about it before the game anyway.”

While Real Madrid has the upper hand heading into Wednesday’s decisive match at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ancelotti warned his players against complacency. He stressed the importance of managing their lead while maintaining the same intensity they showed in the first leg.

Real Madrid hold slight advantage but remain cautious

Ancelotti made it clear that despite their first-leg win, Real Madrid does not consider themselves overwhelming favorites. “We don’t think we are 99 percent through,” he stated. “We have a small advantage from our performance in Manchester, and we have to use it wisely.”

He acknowledged the psychological challenge of playing with a lead, noting that it requires a careful balance between confidence and discipline. “I could stand here and say we have no advantage and that we’ll play as if it were 0-0, but that would be nonsense,” he admitted. “What we can control is our team’s attitude and ensuring we play with the same intensity as we did last week.”

Ancelotti also addressed the mindset needed to close out the tie, explaining that while Real Madrid must respect their advantage, they cannot become overly defensive. “You can’t forget that you have the lead, but at the same time, you can’t let it dictate your entire approach to the game,” he said.

Ancelotti speaks on referees and VAR in Champions League

The Real Madrid boss also weighed in on the ongoing debate about officiating, particularly after the club filed a formal complaint about LaLiga referees following several contentious decisions in recent domestic matches. While acknowledging that refereeing in the Champions League is generally of higher quality, Ancelotti remained critical of VAR’s role in the game.

“I do feel calmer in the Champions League,” he said. “The statistics speak for themselves—there’s less controversy and less intervention from VAR, which only steps in when necessary.”

Ancelotti praised the selection process for Champions League referees, noting that only the best officials from each country are assigned to matches at this level. However, he expressed concerns about VAR’s growing influence on refereeing decisions.

“I have my doubts about VAR,” he admitted. “I think it has taken too much responsibility away from the referee. It was introduced to correct blatant and obvious mistakes, not to interfere with every aspect of the game. Often, it removes the natural flow of football just to achieve the ‘perfect’ decision.”

Guardiola’s remark adds to pre-match buildup

Guardiola’s claim that Manchester City have only a “one percent” chance of progressing has fueled discussion ahead of the high-stakes showdown. While Ancelotti dismissed the remark as psychological gamesmanship, it has added another layer to an already intense matchup.

Manchester City, the defending Champions League winners, will need to overturn their first-leg deficit to keep their title defense alive. Despite Guardiola’s comments, City remain a formidable opponent, having proven their resilience in knockout ties in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid, with their storied history in Europe’s top club competition, will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and secure a place in the last 16.

High expectations for decisive second leg

With both teams boasting world-class talent and experienced managers, Wednesday’s second leg promises to be a gripping contest. Real Madrid will look to repeat their disciplined performance from the first leg, while Manchester City will seek to impose their attacking style to overturn the deficit.

Ancelotti’s squad is expected to feature star players like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Luka Modrić, while Guardiola will rely on key figures such as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri to inspire a comeback.

The Santiago Bernabéu has witnessed countless historic European nights, and this clash between two of Europe’s elite clubs is set to add another chapter to its storied history. With Real Madrid holding the edge but Manchester City determined to fight back, the stage is set for a thrilling battle to determine which side advances to the next round of the Champions League.