Real Madrid will have to play UEFA Champions League playoffs: Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed doubts about his team’s ability to secure a top-eight finish in the expanded 36-team Champions League group stage. This would mean the Spanish giants might need to navigate a two-legged playoff to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.

Despite a remarkable previous season where they claimed both La Liga and Champions League titles, Real Madrid have struggled to replicate their form in Europe. They have suffered three defeats in their last four group matches, putting their campaign under significant strain.

Currently sitting on six points after five matches, Los Blancos find themselves in 24th place—just inside the playoff zone but a distant four points behind the top eight. Their next challenge is a daunting trip to face an in-form Atalanta side, who are thriving at fifth place in the standings with 11 points. The Serie A leaders have been defensively resolute, conceding only one goal in the competition so far.

With three group-stage games remaining, Ancelotti labelled Tuesday’s clash in Bergamo as a must-win encounter but maintained confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion and prove their critics wrong.

“(That is nothing more at stake) than three important points that will help us to qualify,” the Italian told a press conference on Monday, as quoted by Reuters.

“Unfortunately we will have to play an extra round, but that’s it, I have a lot of confidence in my team.

“Things have improved, we are now in a good dynamic and will keep improving as we move forward. Tomorrow’s game could be the most difficult one between now and the end of the year.

“(My level of concern) is moderate right now … moderate. We are worried about finding a good strategy to beat a very tough opponent like Atalanta. But nothing more … moderate.”

Ancelotti anticipates a significantly different challenge from Atalanta compared to their previous meeting in August, when Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over the Italian side in the UEFA Super Cup. Since then, the Europa League holders have hit their stride, embarking on an impressive nine-match winning streak across all competitions. This dominant run includes high-profile victories over Serie A heavyweights such as AC Milan, Napoli, and Roma, underscoring the formidable form they bring into the upcoming clash.

“Atalanta are doing very well, they have improved a lot compared to the Super Cup. They’re on a roll and they’re full of enthusiasm but that give us a chance to go out there and prove a point while earning three important points,” Ancelotti said.

“They are a great team, a club that does a spectacular job despite losing a lot of players every summer. They always find ways to adapt and that says a lot about who they are.

“(Manager Gian Piero Gasperini) is doing a fantastic job. They change a lot of players every season, but he knows how to adapt always playing an intense, beautiful style of football. His work is spectacular.”

Madrid will be aiming to snap a 2-match losing streak against Atalanta.