Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti makes honest Celtic admission

Celtic fans have waited for years for the club to make their return to the UEFA Champions League group stage. They have that opportunity this time around, as a result of winning the 2021/22 Premiership. And they have been handed the biggest opening game possible, as the Hoops will welcome Real Madrid to Parkhead.

The 14-time Champions League winners and current holders will surely be the toughest test that Celtic have faced in a long, long time. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have made an unbeaten start to the season and have the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Junior and several other world-class players in their squad.

Real Madrid are notoriously slow starters in the Champions League though, which might open an window of opportunity for Celtic.

At the same time, Celtic should be confident of going into the game themselves, coming off of a dominant 4-0 win over the Rangers. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have gotten the better of teams like Borussia Dortmund, PSV and RB Leipzig in recent times, so this was a statement of intent on the part of the Hoops.

Ancelotti makes Celtic admission before Real Madrid travel to Parkhead

Ancelotti seems to recognise that Celtic are a good team and could pose problems for Real Madrid. As reported by Marca, the manager said:

"“We don’t have to focus on the individual, but on the team. They play very intense, they have had a great start to the season, there will be a great atmosphere in their stadium… We are delighted to go play there. It will be difficult… for both teams.”"

One thing that Postecoglou’s side have never done, no matter who they have come up against, is move away from their style of football.

And they should not do so against Real Madrid either. While the Spanish giants have won all their games in La Liga this season, they also have conceded in every game. Thus, there might be some vulnerabilities at the back that can be exploited.

Kyogo picking up an injury against Rangers is a major blow in that regard. The Japanese star’s movement in the box could have given major troubles to Real Madrid’s defenders.