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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Carlo Ancelotti aims Champions League dig at Man City after Erling Haaland announcement

Carlo Ancelotti has sent a stark reminder that it is Real Madrid and not Manchester City who have reached the Champions League final despite the latter club signing Erling Haaland.

The Sky Blues announced Haaland will arrive at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund ahead of next season in a statement on Tuesday, so long as personal terms are finalised. The Norwegian striker, 21, is regarded as one of Europe's most lethal goalscorers and he undoubtedly strengthens City's hopes of winning their maiden Champions League title.

However, that comes as little solace in the meantime as Pep Guardiola and Co. continue to come to terms with their dramatic semi-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid. City conceded two last-minute goals and again in extra-time to crash out of the competition with a 6-5 aggregate defeat.

Los Blancos will take on Liverpool at the Stade de France on 28 May and Ancelotti preferred to praise his star-studded squad which has reached the final than discuss Haaland extensively. "I don't really like to talk about this," Ancelotti told reporters on Wednesday when quizzed for his reaction to the transfer.

"He's a great player, City are a great club. But I'm sticking with my squad, which has led me to enjoy another Champions League final." Many of Ancelotti's players are battle-hardened veterans of continental competition who won three consecutive European crowns between 2016 and 2018.

As for the Italian legend, he has won the Champions League on three previous occasions across his first stint at the Santiago Bernabeu and his glittering spell with AC Milan. Guardiola, meanwhile, arrived at City in 2016 and has enjoyed vast domestic success with the club, but a European triumph continues to evade him.

Will Erling Haaland fire Manchester City to Champions League glory next season? Have your say in the comments...

Carlo Ancelotti had little to say about Erling Haaland's transfer to Manchester City (UEFA via Getty Images)

With Haaland up front, the Premier League giants will have renewed impetus to lift the greatest honour in club football next season. The former Red Bull Salzburg star has scored a truly remarkable 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund and was previously a target for Real Madrid.

But the Spanish giants have an in-form frontman of their own in the form of Karim Benzema, who continues to defy his age by finding the back of the net at an astonishing the rate. The 34-year-old has netted 43 times in 43 games this season, while also grabbing 14 assists, to cement himself as the favourite to win the 2022 Ballon d'Or. So, while Haaland will have the chance to strut his stuff in the Premier League next season, it is Benzema and Real Madrid who will take to the grandest stage of all later this month.

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