Carlo Ancelotti Names the Team That Can Stop Real Madrid From Winning the Champions League

• Carlo Ancelotti has named the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League
• Real Madrid have qualified to the round of 16 of Europe's premier competition
• The La Liga club finished top of their UCL group ahead of Serie A side Napoli

Carlo Ancelotti has identified the team he believes can challenge his Real Madrid squad for the UEFA Champions League title this season.

Despite Los Blancos securing the European championship 14 times, they were eliminated last season by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who went on to claim their first title.

Now, bolstered by the impressive performance of Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid is determined to pursue UCL glory once more as they target a 15th title in the 2023/24 campaign.

Leading Group C with 18 points from the six matches this season, Ancelotti disclosed the team he believes will contend with his squad for the trophy this season.

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"City are favourites because they have a squad that saw them win it last season and they haven't changed much. However, in the Champions League - like always - there are surprises at the end," Ancelotti said via SportBible.

"Real Madrid are a team that are going to fight until the end. We never think of ourselves as favourites, just as I think City don't. They won it last year, they can win the Champions League."

Real Madrid were unbeaten in the UCL group stage, as are the Citizens. However, the English side are not faring as well in the Premier League.

Man City's domestic struggles

Following three consecutive draws against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, Man City suffered a defeat to Unai Emery's impressive Aston Villa last week, per UEFA.

Guardiola's side managed to secure a narrow 2-1 victory against Luton Town over the weekend, with attention drawn to the manager's unpredictable touchline behaviour.

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Despite participating in various competitions, City faces challenges with injuries to key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Jeremy Doku, making opposing teams more optimistic about their chances against last season's treble-winners.

Ancelotti named 'best in the world'

Sports Brief previously reported on Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta hailing Ancelotti's achievements and naming him the best coach in the world.

The Real Madrid tactician has had a successful career, winning titles with Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich.

Ancelotti's teams have seen him win 25 major titles throughout his career, including four UEFA Champions League trophies and four UEFA Super Cups.