UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Ancelotti: Galatasaray different under Mancini

Real Madrid CF's Carlo Ancelotti says Galatasaray AŞ, beaten 6-1 by his side on matchday one, have "changed" under compatriot Roberto Mancini who cited the dangers facing his team.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke highly of compatriot Roberto Mancini
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke highly of compatriot Roberto Mancini ©AFP/Getty Images

Carlo Ancelotti expects Real Madrid CF to encounter a different Galatasaray AŞ from the one his team overwhelmed 6-1 on UEFA Champions League matchday one. Now under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, Cimbom have recovered from that chastening defeat to take second place in a tight Group B, yet Ancelotti's compatriot knows the size of the task his players face against a home side likely to make several changes for the contest.   

• With a six-point lead, Madrid need only draw at home to Galatasaray to clinch top spot – and even a defeat could suffice, depending on other results.

Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti, coach
We want to finish top of the group. We have two games left and we want to win them both. We will do our best. It will be difficult because Galatasaray want to qualify. Roberto Mancini is an experienced coach. He did very well in Italy and England. Now he is starting something new and he will do very well over there, for sure.

With squad rotation, all the players are getting some minutes. Casemiro could be a starter, but I like what [Xabi] Alonso and [Asier] Illarramendi do when they play together. We must be careful with Xabi Alonso because he is coming back from a serious injury. Maybe he will be rested tomorrow.

We are confident but not because we won 6-1 in Istanbul. Galatasaray have changed with Mancini and tomorrow's match will be completely different.

Weekend result
Saturday: UD Almería 0-5 Real Madrid (Ronaldo 3, Benzema 61, Bale 72, Isco 75, Morata 81)
Diego López; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Arbeloa; Illarramendi (Casemiro 74), Xabi Alonso, Bale, Isco, Ronaldo (Jesé Rodríguez 54); Benzema (Morata 62).

• The Merengues took their total to 20 goals in their last four Spanish Liga games – all victories – to stay in touch with leaders FC Barcelona and second-placed Club Atlético de Madrid.

Team news
Cristiano Ronaldo sustained a left thigh injury against Almería and Raphaël Varane (knee), Sami Khedira (knee) and Fábio Coentrão (thigh) will also miss out. Ancelotti said: "Marcelo is OK. Varane, Coentrão, Khedira, Cristiano and [Luka] Modrić are not available."

Galatasaray
Roberto Mancini, coach
Madrid were strong last year and are strong this year. Maybe they have improved because [Gareth] Bale is a fantastic player and Ancelotti is a top manager. To play here is always difficult. We'll have all our players available. Some are maybe not at 100%, but we have choice. It's important that all the players are ready for the match because to play in the Bernabéu is fantastic and we will try to do a good job.

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the best managers in Europe. He has coached top teams and won everywhere, so I think Madrid are going to do the same. He is a very quiet kind of manager, which is good for the team. [Wesley] Snjeider is not 100%. He has worked with the team the last four or five days and tomorrow I'll take a decision. He is important for us, but we can't take risks.

We have to play well and, while we know it's going to be difficult, we are going to try. The most important game is the last group match against Juventus. For the moment, we have to play Real Madrid and if we don't do well and Juventus beat København, they will have a better chance of qualifying than us.

Weekend result
Saturday: Galatasaray 2-1 Sivasspor (Burak Yılmaz 12, Selçuk İnan 35; Djebbour 31)
Eray İşcan; Eboué, Gökhan Zan, Chedjou, Nounkeu; Aydın Yılmaz (Emre Çolak 70), Selçuk İnan, Felipe Melo, Riera; Umut Bulut (Ceyhun Gülselam 90), Burak Yılmaz (Drogba 81).

• Didier Drogba started on the bench, Albert Riera made his first Turkish Super League appearance of the season and Burak Yılmaz scored his 100th goal for Galatasaray, who prevailed despite the dismissal of defender Dany Nounkeu.

Team news
Gökhan Zan, Hakan Balta, Sneijder, Semih Kaya and goalkeeper Ufuk Ceylan have shaken off injuries, but Fernando Muslera remains a doubt due to a broken toe. Midfielder Hamit Altıntop underwent surgery to correct a herniated disc and is a long-term absentee.

Match fact
• Mancini, who celebrates his 49th birthday on the day of the game, was a player for 16 years and then a coach for a further 11 before he faced Madrid for the first time. In last season's group stage his Manchester City FC team lost 3-2 at the Bernabéu and drew 1-1 at home.

Selected for you