The Champions League match between Real Madrid and one of Italy’s top teams is expected to be their toughest group-stage encounter ever, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday.

Real, the current LaLiga leaders, started their search for a record-extending 15th European Cup last month with a dramatic 1-0 home success over Union Berlin, while Italian champions Napoli, who are third in Serie A, triumphed 2-1 at Sporting Braga.

The match on Tuesday at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium may be crucial to both teams’ efforts to win group C.

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“We’ll face off against one of Italy’s top teams. The previous year, they excelled. They have a good level, therefore it will be a competitive and equally matched game, Ancelotti, the former manager of Napoli, said during a press conference.

“For us, it will be the hardest game in the group stage. I don’t want to say we’re used to it, but we feel the weight of this club’s jersey.

Ancelotti will also make his return to Naples for the game after managing the squad for 73 games from 2018 to 2019.

During that time, he guided the team to an undefeated streak in the Champions League group stage until being fired while the team was in seventh position in Serie A.

“I had happy times; this is a great city. There were obviously less pleasant times, but I still recall a good time,” Ancelotti added.

“Backtracking prior to a game like this is illogical. It is best to stop when there is a bad vibe in the connection between a club and a coach.

“Because I returned to the best club in the world two years later, I believe it was the perfect choice for both Napoli and for me.

When Real Madrid and Napoli last faced off in the Champions League round of 16, the Spanish powerhouses won both legs 3-1 and went on to win the tournament.