Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said his team was not afraid of anyone as they waited for the Champions League playoffs on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Los Blancos have a chance of meeting Manchester City or Celtic to fight for a place in the round of 16.
Real Madrid beat Brest 3-0 on Thursday, January 30, 2025, early morning WIB. Striker Rodrygo contributed two goals plus one goal from Jude Bellingham to ensure Los Blancos ended the group stage in 11th place with 15 points.
The next journey of Carlo Ancelotti's troops is not easy. If they can get past Manchester City or Celtic in the playoffs, they have a chance to meet Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.
"I've said it before, we didn't lose the last eight today. We have to play the playoffs and see who our opponents are."
"Our job is to prepare and wait. However, we are not afraid of anyone," said Courtois.
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Real Madrid are experiencing a difficult Champions League group stage, with defeats to Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool who made the reigning champions fail to enter the top eight.
The La Liga giant has played against Manchester City in the Champions League in the last three seasons.
They eliminated the Premier League team on their way to winning trophies in 2022 and 2024.
"That's how it is. We fought them in a knockout system game last year, two years ago, and three years ago."
"If we have to fight Manchester City, if you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the best," Courtois said when asked about the prospect of meeting Manchester City.
Courtois' optimism is supported by Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach confirmed that Real Madrid would give a similar ending to the previous meeting.
"Manchester City is more likely to win the Champions League, that's the truth. We don't like playing against Manchester City."
"If we have to fight Manchester City, we will, as we have done in previous years," said Carlo Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo has now scored four Champions League goals in a week, having scored two goals against Salzburg on January 22, 2025.
The Brazil National Team player said he did not know the score in another match, with the possibility of a Real Madrid playoff being determined by the final position in the standings.
Even so, Rodrygo emphasized that he and his team will focus, whoever the opponent will be.
"I try to focus on the game, score goals. (Large eight) are our goal."
"In some games we didn't play well, but it did. We have to keep going, work hard, and improve capabilities."
"Whoever we are against, it will be difficult. (Manchester City) will be difficult, as usual. Every game against them is difficult," Rodrygo told Movistar.
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