Failing to defeat Manchester City could result in a significant financial loss of approximately $70 million for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid stands to miss out on over $70 million (roughly €67.5 million) in potential earnings if they fail to beat Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs on Wednesday, as per UEFA and SPORT's calculations. This second-leg encounter sees Madrid, the 15-time Champions League champions, holding a 3-2 advantage over Premier League kings City, following their comeback victory at the Etihad.
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola chanced his arm at a press conference, poking fun that their chances stood at just 1%, while Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid's manager, counseled against taking such comments at face value. The Italian suggested Guardiola was engaging in mind games, further cautioning that they cannot disregard their 3-2 advantage, but must leverage it effectively.
Ancelotti touched upon Madrid's affinity for losing advantages in second leg UCL knockout ties, labeling it a "psychological issue" that is hard to overcome. However, he emphasized the importance of heading into the match with the right mentality rather than making calculated assessments.
The stakes, beyond reaching the last 16, involve a substantial payday for the victor. Madrid has pocketed $39 million (around €37.25 million) so far in this edition of the Champions League, and the opportunity to add $11.5 million (roughly €11 million) to their haul awaits if they triumph over City.
Should they progress past the quarterfinals, they could pocket an extra $13 million (around €12.5 million), while the semifinalists are awarded $15.7 million (roughly €15 million). The ultimate winner stands to take home $6.8 million (around €6.5 million), while participation in the UEFA Super Cup further cushions their earnings with an additional $4.2 million (roughly €4 million).
A loss to City, however, would fade away these lucrative opportunities, making it imperative for Madrid to break free from their second-leg jinx and march forward in the competition.
The potential loss for Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs against Manchester City could mean missing out on managing Carlo Ancelotti's calculated calculations of approximately $11.5 million (€11 million) in winnings, as per UEFA and SPORT's calculations. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, known as the Premier League kings, will face off against the 15-time Champions League champions, FC Barcelona, in the second leg with a slim 1% chance of victory, according to Guardiola himself. If FC Barcelona fails to overcome this challenge, layoffs or financial restructuring might become a caption in Madrid's future, as they miss out on the further earnings of up to $30 million (€28.5 million) in the Champions League.
