Real Madrid is celebrating its return to good form despite placing low in the Champions League and failing to avoid a possible playoff against Manchester City.

Real Madrid hope to avoid Manchester City in the next round, manager Carlo Ancelotti said after they beat Brest 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League playoff where they will be seeded. The holders will face either Celtic or Manchester City in the two-legged playoff on February,

Two sides with an outside chance of automatic qualification face off at the Stade de Roudourou today as surprise package Brest host defending champions Real Madrid. Madrid are currently in 16th in the standings and will need a win today along with favours elsewhere if they are to avoid playing an extra two-legged tie in the knockout phase play-offs.