Guardiola underestimating Man City chances: Ancelotti

In the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City, managerial mind games have taken center stage. After Real Madrid's 3-2 victory in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, City manager Pep Guardiola downplayed his team's prospects, suggesting they had only a "1% chance" of advancing. Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti dismissed this claim, stating, "He doesn't truly think that... We don't think we have a 99% chance. We have a small advantage that we have to take advantage of."

Guardiola later admitted his earlier statement was a strategic falsehood, intended to manage expectations and motivate his squad. He acknowledged the need for an "almost perfect" performance at the Santiago Bernabéu to overturn the deficit and progress to the next round.

Both managers are renowned for their tactical acumen and psychological strategies, often engaging in such exchanges to influence the narrative surrounding crucial matches. As the decisive second leg approaches, the interplay between Ancelotti and Guardiola adds an intriguing layer to an already high-stakes encounter.