Ancelotti sees Madrid, Barcelona as favorites

CAIRO – 18 March 2018: Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid and Barcelona, the next opponents of Juventus and Roma in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, "are favorites" because they have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, respectively.

Ancelotti also explained in an interview published on Saturday in the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport that Real Madrid and Barcelona are at the same level of performance, although Barcelona is 15 points ahead of the White Club in the Spanish league.

Real Madrid’s former coach believes that playing in the quarter-finals with the two-leg matches system gives Juventus and Roma good chances.

We know @Totti won't be playing but we're still looking forward to facing a great side - see you soon, @OfficialASRoma! 👋#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/hZZXrQ0oj5

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 16, 2018

"Of course, Champions League games are decided by the small details. A one-off game is enough for a refereeing error to make the difference. Madrid and Barcelona are favorites due to their experience and because they have Ronaldo and Messi," he said.

"Surely Juventus and Roma are not favorites, because they are measured [against] two powers of European football, but their options can be considered," he added.

Zizou in the spotlight.

Will he eliminate his old club again? 🤔 #UCL pic.twitter.com/wp0I9NbHR1

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 16, 2018

Ancelotti, who was a European champion with Real Madrid in 2014, also assured that Juventus has more experience than Roma and that is why he sees that the “Bianconeri” has more options to pass to the next round.