Carlo Ancelotti said Manchester City vs. Real Madrid "feels like a Clásico now" as the teams prepare to meet in the Champions League for the fourth season in a row, and backed the tie's winner to "go far in the competition.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his side were well aware of Real Madrid's habit of producing their best in tough times, with a string of injuries having depleted the visitors' defence ahead of Tuesday's Champions League playoff.

Real Madrid against Manchester City in the Champions League is the accidental blockbuster of the new knockout playoffs round that starts Tuesday. The past two title winners surprisingly finished mid-table in the new 36-team standings format that ended in January.