Carlo Ancelotti said he prefers Champions League referees -- saying there's "less controversy and fewer VAR interventions" -- as Real Madrid prepare to face Manchester City in their playoff second leg in the midst of a row over LaLiga officiating.
Madrid won 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium last week, with Jude Bellingham scoring a 92nd minute winner, to give the reigning champions a "small advantage," Ancelotti said, going into Wednesday's game at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Madrid executives met with Spanish refereeing bosses on Monday to review audio recordings of a controversial decision in Madrid's LaLiga defeat at Espanyol earlier this month, after the club sent an open letter complaining that Spain's refereeing system was "completely discredited.