Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti discusses Champions League tie against Manchester City before Osasuna game

The Italian also spoke about more racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Júnior, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão’s fitness, and Brahim Díaz.

Real Madrid will once again face Manchester City in the Champions League after Friday’s draw pitted the two most recent winners of the competition together in the quarter-finals. In his pre-match press conference before Los Blancos travel to Osasuna, head coach Carlo Ancelotti was philosophical about the task ahead, with “to be the best you have to beat the best” very much his mantra.

The Italian also discussed the latest round of racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Júnior, as well as Brahim Diaz’s decision to choose to play for Morocco over Spain at international level.

And he had positive news regarding the fitness of long-term injury victims Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão.

City are one of the favourites, we all know it and it will be very hard. We don’t care if we have to play the second leg away from home, it makes no difference.

Surely you must feel the draw couldn’t have been more difficult?

Champions League quarter-finals are always difficult! We want to win the competition and, to do that, you must beat the best. City may be one of the best teams in Europe at the moment, it will be tough, of course, but if you want to be European champion, you must eliminate City.

Are Manchester City more worried than you are?

I don’t know (laughs)! Optimism always prevails, don’t worry. It’s going to be a great quarter-final tie and we will play them with confidence. I don’t know what they’ll be thinking there, it will be similar to here. One year we won and the next year they won. We will see...

Are you out for revenge (after losing in the semi-finals last season)?

No, it’s an opportunity to play in