Real Madrid could face Man City in the near future, but celebrates the return to a good way

Madrid (AP) – Real Madrid is celebrating its return to a good way despite placing low in the Champions League and not avoiding a possible playoff against Manchester City.

The slow beginning of Madrid in the European competition prevented the defending champion from directly to the 16 -round round, and possibly established a meeting with Man City in the playoffs. But the convincing performances of the team recently make coach Carlo Ancelotti and his players feel optimistic entering the second half of the season.

Madrid will defend its leadership in the league when Espanyol visits Saturday, three days after he won in Brest 3-0 in the last group match of the Champions League. The Friday draw will determine whether it will play Man City or Celtic in the playoffs.

“It was important to obtain the victory, important to finish the group stage with force,” said midfielder Jude Bellingham. “We are probably disappointed in some of the games and that is why we have ended in the (elimination phase playoffs). We will try to face any obstacle that comes with a better face and can see that we are definitely beginning to click as a team in recent weeks. “

Madrid lost three of his first six games of the Champions League, but won the last three to avoid the risk of elimination. It was not enough to finish high enough to avoid the potential confrontation against City, but helped increase the team’s confidence. Madrid will enter the weekend match in Espanyol with 10 victories in its last 11 games in all competitions.

The reverse in the race was expensive: a 5-2 defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia in January. But since then, the Ancelotti team has played well again, with the attack by Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé clicking.

Since the defeat in Barcelona, Madrid has surpassed opponents 20-4 in five games, with Rodrygo scoring five times, Vinícius three times and Mbappé six times.

“We are very happy. It is a pity that we could not wake up so little earlier in the competition, but we are pleased to be in this type of form at this stage, “said Ancelotti.” We are in good shape and there is a positive atmosphere in the place. We want to continue like this ” .

Madrid has a four -point advantage over Atlético de Madrid in the League, where he is also the defending champion. Madrid sits seven points against Barcelona. In the Copa del Rey, Madrid will visit Leganes next week at the 16th round.

Other matches

After enruting Valencia 7-1 in his previous league game, Barcelona, undefeated in eight games in all tournaments, visit Alaves Clancado 17th on Sunday. Atlético de second place has only two victories in its last four games after a race of 15 consecutive victories. Organize Mallorca in sixth place on Saturday.