Carlo Ancelotti Eager for Another Champions League Battle With Rival Diego Simeone

Ahead of the Spanish capital derby in the Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed enthusiasm for facing rival Diego Simeone once again.

The match, set for Tuesday, promises another thrilling tactical encounter between the two managers.

Heading into their 27th clash, with the two managers having faced each other more often than any other rival in their careers, they are tied at nine wins each along with eight draws.

Although Real Madrid has dominated the Champions League, winning all four of their encounters over the past 11 seasons, including the finals in 2014 and 2016, recent trends have painted a different picture.

Last year, Atletico handed Real their only two defeats of a near-perfect 2023/24 season in which they won the La Liga and Champions League double.

Ancelotti’s team has won only one of their last seven capital derbies, a 5-3 extra-time victory in the 2024 Super Cup in Saudi Arabia over a year ago.

This rivalry is one that Ancelotti and Simeone know well, as both recall their encounters in Italy’s Serie A.

“My first memory of him is as a footballer with Lazio, when he scored against Juventus I was a coach in a game that was for the league title. Lazio won, and they took the championship; I think it was 2000,” Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday.

“Now, as a coach, I respect him a lot. He’s a great manager. He has done very well at Atletico, taking them to the highest level in Europe.

“I like the way he reads the games, how he gets the team on the pitch, the strategy, the commitment his team has defensively. I like all of these aspects a lot.”

Ancelotti said that Real will not fall into the trap of over-confidence from previous results as the holders bid for a record-extending 16th European Cup and seventh title in 12 seasons.

“It’s going to be a close tie that will be decided in the second leg. The objective tomorrow is to play well and take an advantage,” Ancelotti said.

“The match will be even and competitive, as a Madrid derby always is. It’s a special match in terms of emotions and the pressure you feel ahead of a big rivalry game.”