Carlo Ancelotti responds to Pep Guardiola’s complaints over Champions League scheduling

Carlo Ancelotti has played down Pep Guardiola’s complaints regarding Manchester City’s demanding schedule and says it will not decide their Champions League showdown.

Real Madrid host the defending champions next week in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, though before that City face testing Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.

The trip to the Bernabeu will be City’s fourth game in 10 days, whereas Real now have a free week following Sunday’s La Liga win over Athletic and do not play again until the quarter-final.

Guardiola is far from happy with the scheduling and feels the Premier League do not do enough to help their European representatives, unlike leagues elsewhere on the continent.