Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated that his team is already thinking about Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their semi-final fixture.

The Los Blancos won their first title of the season when they beat Osasuna 2-1 at the Estadio De La Cartuja on Saturday to lift the Copa Del Rey trophy. 

Despite falling off in the race for the La Liga title and 14 points behind Barcelona, who top the table, Real Madrid can still make it a highly successful season if they can grab the UEFA Champions League for a record 15th time and complete a brace.

A Rodrygo’s brace, one goal in each half, ensured that Real Madrid did not need extra time to get past Osasuna, who had a consolation from Lucas Torro. After the win, Ancelotti stated that the team would keep the celebrations minimum and prepare for City.

“Tonight we’ll celebrate a little bit, then we’ll think about Tuesday. My message is let’s go for Tuesday, that’s it. We know that, like today and like other days at the Bernabéu, they will push us. We have a small advantage in the first leg, and that is that we play with 12 against 11. This team only has to do one thing: play football because we do it well, and anything else means losing control and concentration. Rodrygo changed the dynamic in the second half.” Ancelotti said.

Last season, Real Madrid faced Manchester City at this stage of the season in the UEFA Champions League and needed a miracle in the second leg at home to move to the final, where they beat Liverpool.

However, with the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu and the return leg at Manchester, Ancelotti and his men know they cannot afford to be complacent on Tuesday.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu