Carlo Ancelotti has named Celtic as Real Madrid's toughest opponents so far this season as his Los Blancos outfit travel to Parkhead on Tuesday night in search of a win under the lights in Glasgow.
The side from the Spanish capital extended their unbeaten start to the La Liga campaign with a 2-1 win over Real Betis on Saturday afternoon as they gear up to take on Ange Postecoglou's men in midweek. With both clubs enjoying a 100 per cent record in their respective leagues so far this season, there is bound to be a plethora of attacking football on show in front of a crowd that has not seen Champions League group stage football for five years.
Ange Postecoglou has got his men firing, and are riding into the tie against the reigning La Liga title holders fresh from a 4-0 win over arch rivals Rangers on Saturday lunchtime. And whilst Ancelotti will feel buoyant about his chances having won the competition last year, the Italian believes Celtic will throw up a challenge like no other he has faced since the start of the campaign.
"On Tuesday we've got the most difficult game of this first half of the season," Ancelotti said. “We're going to be up against a team playing great football and we have to be ready.
"Our objective is to play good football and to pick up the points and the wins. We’re capable of playing well, with the quality we have, combining well and good in transitions. The squad dynamic is good and we're full of confidence in our abilities.”
The Hoops have not qualified for the knockout rounds of Europe's premier cup competition for a decade now, but stand a relatively good chance with the draw pitting them against RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk. It certainly is one of the easier groups on paper, all things considered.
You'd be inclined to think that Real would win the group, and their 25-man squad that was announced on Monday features jaw-dropping talent, with special consideration being given to a front line that can evidently tear apart almost anyone in Europe. However, with no Karim Benzema being pictured in training, fans may start to get their hopes up - albeit with Ancelotti praising Rodrygo who is tipped to start upfront should the Frenchman not feature.
“Rodrygo is a special forward as he can play in every position," Ancelotti said.
"He's very clever without the ball and very effective in one-on-ones. He's finished his apprenticeship and is now a Real Madrid player".
Real Madrid squad:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Luis López.
Defenders: Carvajal, E. Militão, Alaba, Nacho, Rüdiger and F. Mendy.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Lucas V., Tchouameni and D. Ceballos.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Mariano.
