Carlo Ancelotti: Manchester City Favorites In The Champions League, Real Madrid Ready To Compete

Carlo Ancelotti, said Manchester City's favorite team to win the Champions League this season. (photo: Twitter

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said Manchester City should be considered the favorite team to win the Champions League this season.

City won last season's competition which became their first highest title in Europe, and as part of a historic treble. Citry, beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the final after beating defending Madrid champions 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinals.

Madrid, who have won the competition 14 times, including five times in the last decade, started their 20-24 campaign by hosting Union Berlin group opponents at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, September 20.

"I think City are favorites," Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday, September 19. "They have a squad that allowed them to win it last year, which hasn't changed much. There's always a surprise, especially in the final stages, but now City can be considered a favorite."

In Group C, Madrid must overcome Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin to make it smooth to reach the next round.

"Of course (our target is to) qualify from the group stage, through the quarter-finals, and compete until the end," said Ancelotti. "We can say that without too much pressure, it is a target we can achieve."

"I see us as a team that will compete," he added. "We've never considered ourselves a favorite and I don't think City will either. Today."

The Italian coach was almost humiliated in the first match, because for up to 90 minutes of the match, Union Berlin could still hold a 0-0 draw. Luckily Jude Belingham was able to break the deadlock with his single goal at the end of the match. This score is a sign that Madrid cannot relax in Group C.