The Italian coach felt that his team played excellently in last week's 3-2 win over the Premier League champions and wants his side to replicate the display in the second leg of the play-off tie on Wednesday (19.02.25).

Ancelotti told TNT Sports: "Last week we did really well, I thought it was one of our best performances this season.

"We would like to repeat it. I think we have improved a lot in the last month, the success is a good balance between quality and collective sacrifice.

"When you have a good balance there you can have success. If you have great quality but zero sacrifice, you won't win, but if you have 100 per cent sacrifice and no quality you won't win.

"Balance is really important to have success."

City boss Pep Guardiola claims that his team only have a "one per cent" chance of overturning the deficit but the Real coach is wary of the dangers posed by the opposition.

The five-time Champions League winner said: "I am surprised because I think that City is still a fantastic team. They suffered a lot with the injury to Rodri, they have difficulty in defence because Rodri is a fantastic player to help the back four.

"I still think that they are a fantastic team. It is not true [that Manchester City only have a one per cent chance of getting through]. I think he said that, but I think they have a lot more chance than one per cent.

"We understand that it will be a difficult game, an entertaining game, but no one can know now what is going to happen."