The Real Madrid squad is gearing up for a high-stakes battle against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League 2024-2025 playoffs, a scenario few expected after the Spanish giants failed to secure a direct spot in the Round of 16. With a congested schedule ahead, Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the team will have no conventional preparation, relying instead on a strategy of recovery, video analysis, and match execution.

A Unexpected Challenge in the Champions League

The Italian coach acknowledged that missing out on a Top-8 finish in the league phase was a setback but remains confident in his team’s ability to overcome this challenge.

"We strive for perfection, but it doesn’t exist. We made mistakes in one match, and that cost us a direct qualification spot. It will be tough, but we have the resources to succeed," Ancelotti stated in a press conference.

The manager also highlighted the tight fixture schedule, as Real Madrid will play 13 matches across LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League before the March international break.

"There is no time for traditional preparation, only recovery and video analysis. It will be a cycle of ‘recovery, video, match’ for 40 days," he explained.

Squad Rotation and Management Will Be Key

With such an intense run of fixtures, Ancelotti emphasized that squad rotation will be crucial to maintaining performance levels.

"I need the entire squad. It’s important to rotate players so that everyone stays motivated because they will all be essential during this period," the Real Madrid coach affirmed.

As Los Blancos aim to reach peak form ahead of their crucial showdown against Manchester City, they must carefully manage fatigue while also remaining competitive in LaLiga EA Sports and progressing in the Copa del Rey.