Man City news: Carlo Ancelotti on Real Madrid’s ‘small advantage’

Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid only have a “small advantage” over Manchester City before the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

Holders Real scored two late goals to win 3-2 at Etihad Stadium on 11 February and will go through to the last 16 if they avoid defeat on their home ground.

City boss Pep Guardiola said after Saturday’s Premier League win over Newcastle: “The margin to win at the Bernabeu from that position, everybody knows, the percentage to go through, we arrive at 1%. Or I don’t know what, but it will be minimal.

“But as much as you have a chance we will try, that’s for sure. We are going like we always have done but, this season, the reality is we have been miles away. We have been really, really poor in performances and results this season.

“For one game, Saturday, we played really good but it’s not going to change the opinion, the reality. But, of course, it’s better to travel to Madrid with this result.”

On Guardiola’s comments, Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday: “He doesn’t really think so [that City have a 1% chance to go through].

“We don’t think we have a 99% chance. We have a small advantage and we have to take advantage of it.

“We have to play the same game as in the first leg, because it went well, but we have to take into account the difficulties. We are trying to prepare well.”