Real Madrid’s poor start in the Champions League has already led coach Carlo Ancelotti to accept that his team won’t secure a direct spot in the next stage.
With three matches remaining, the points table paints a bleak picture, and Ancelotti himself admits that Real Madrid won’t finish in the top eight to qualify directly for the Round of 16. However, the most successful coach in the tournament’s history remains confident about winning the playoff to progress.
Plagued by injuries early in the season, Real Madrid has struggled with consistency, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. So far, they’ve won just two of their five group matches, leaving them in 24th place among the 36 teams with only six points.
Under the new format, the top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th must battle in two-legged playoffs. On Tuesday, Real Madrid faces a crucial game against Italian club Atalanta in this fight for survival. Despite the added challenge, Ancelotti remains optimistic.
“Right now, nothing is more important than three points. It will help us move forward to the next stage. Unfortunately, we’ll have to play an extra round (the playoff), but that’s fine. I have full faith in my team,” said the coach.
This season, Real Madrid’s form has been unpredictable. They’ve won two and lost two of their last four matches across all competitions. However, their most recent game saw a convincing 3-0 victory away against Girona, giving the coach confidence ahead of the Atalanta clash.
“The situation has improved a lot. We’re in a better position now and progressing well. Tomorrow (Tuesday) might be the toughest match we face for the rest of the year. Atalanta is a challenging opponent, but we’re preparing strong tactics to beat them. There’s some concern, but it’s manageable,” Ancelotti added.
Real Madrid defeated Atalanta 2-0 back in August to win the UEFA Super Cup. However, since then, the two teams have taken very different paths. Atalanta is thriving, leading Serie A with 34 points from 15 matches.
In the Champions League, they are unbeaten in five games, with three wins and two draws, and have conceded just one goal. Across all competitions, they’ve won their last nine matches, including victories against top teams like AC Milan, Napoli, and Roma.
Ancelotti praised Atalanta’s form and their coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, while also highlighting his own team’s determination.
“Atalanta is doing very well. They’ve improved a lot since the Super Cup. They’re incredibly consistent and a very motivated side. It’s a fantastic club. Despite losing players every season, they always find a way to perform well. This shows their quality,” said Ancelotti.
“Their coach is doing an excellent job. Even after losing key players, they find ways to play intense, attractive football. His work is exceptional. For us, it’s an opportunity to prove ourselves and bring home three points.
