Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, has picked Los Blancos and Villarreal as the two clubs that no one predicted would reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this season.

The Italian was also ecstatic that Real Madrid had advanced to the Champions League semi-finals.

This was stated by Ancelotti during his pre-match press conference on Monday, ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first-leg showdown against Manchester City on Tuesday night at Etihad Stadium.

Remember that Real Madrid knocked out Chelsea in the last eight of the Champions League, while Villarreal eliminated Bayern Munich from the competition.

Real Madrid and Villarreal were the two teams in the semi-finals that nobody believed would get here, Ancelotti said.

“I remember what was said at the time by the press and public opinion.

“We got here and we are very happy. Real Madrid will always compete.”