Carlo Ancelotti identifies Real Madrid advantage ahead of Man City Champions League tie

Carlo Ancelotti is relishing the visit of Manchester City in the Champions League this week with the Real Madrid boss spying a small advantage for his side ahead of Tuesday's semi-final first leg.

The two teams will do battle in the Bernabeu this week before returning to the Etihad for part two on May 17. Pep Guardiola's City side are favourites to progress to a final with either Inter or AC Milan but holders Madrid upset the Blues at this stage of the competition a year ago with a stunning late comeback.

And while Real are a distant second behind Barcelona in La Liga, they welcome City on the back of winning a trophy having lifted the Copa del Rey over the weekend. Two goals from Rodrygo saw them defeat Osasuna 2-1 and they will seek to maintain that momentum against City, with Ancelotti believing home advantage can help Los Blancos to a first-leg advantage.

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"My message is let's go for Tuesday, that's it," said Ancelotti. "We know that like today and like other days at the Bernabeu, they will push us. We have a small advantage in the first leg and that is that we play with 12 against 11. We are preparing for Tuesday's game in a good, happy and excited atmosphere."

Of the weekend Copa del Rey victory, the Italian: "This Copa has come at an important moment, after overcoming complicated qualifying rounds. It’s a well-deserved prize after all the effort. The stress is very big in this type of match, especially when you are such a favourite. I’m happy, but fatigue prevails. We will realise tomorrow what we have achieved not only tonight but in these two seasons. Let’s think about Tuesday."

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