Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that facing Napoli, one of Italy’s best teams, will be the toughest for the team in the Champions League group stage.
Spanish first division leaders Real Madrid began their quest for a 15th title with a 1-0 win over hosts Union Berlin last month, with third-placed Napoli winning in the Italian league. 2-1 win over hosts Sporting Prague.
Tuesday’s clash at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium could be decisive as both teams look to top Group C.
Ancelotti, who previously coached Napoli, told reporters: “We will play against the best Italian teams. He did well last season. It will be a competitive match and the balance will be even because he is at a high level.
“It will be a very difficult match for us in the group stage. I don’t want to say we are used to it, but the shirt of this club is very heavy on our shoulders.”
Ancelotti will return to Napoli after leading the team in 73 matches between 2018 and 2019, where he avoided defeat in the group stage of the Champions League before being eliminated when they finished seventh in the Italian league.
“I have positive memories,” Ancelotti said. “It’s a magical city. There are less happy moments. But I had a great experience. It doesn’t make sense to reminisce before a match like this. It’s better to end the relationship. It’s not good between the club and the coach.
“I think it’s the right decision for Napoli and for me, as I’m returning to the best club in the world after two years.”
The last clash between Real Madrid and Napoli was before the Champions League for the 2016-2017 season, where the Spanish giants continued their journey to win the title with a 3-1 win over the two rounds of 16 matches by the same scoreline.
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