Carlo Ancelotti Pep Guardiola ‘no surprises’ message ahead of Man City, Real Madrid clash

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had a message for Pep Guardiola as the two tacticians are set to renew their rivalry on Wednesday, April 17.

Los Blancos visit the Etihad for the quarter-final second leg of the tie in a game that could go either way after a 3-3 first-leg result.

Last season, the two sides met, and Manchester City emerged victorious, securing the club’s maiden Champions League title.

The Real Madrid boss will surely have learnt from last season’s mistakes and will be looking to avoid a repeat.

Ancelotti’s message to Guardiola

Ahead of the game, the Real Madrid boss gave the media a glimpse of how his team might line up for the second leg, with one player in particular being he focal point of talks.

The Italian confirmed his midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was likely to make the starting XI after the suspension of Aurelien Tchouameni.

“Are you sure he will play? (Laughs). Yes, come on, I think so too,” he said, as quoted on Football Espana.

He also assured his opponent, Guardiola, that there would be no ‘mind games’ ahead of the clash. His starting XI is likely to have the usual suspects.

Ancelotti, a four-time European champion, added: “(Pep Guardiola and I) know each other very well. He can rest assured, there won’t be any surprises (from me).”

Real Madrid's early team news

Two expected absentees are Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba who are injured, while Tchouameni remains suspended.

Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao all started on the bench for Los Blancos’ La Liga game against Mallorca, an indication that they could start for the Man City clash, according to Standard.