Ancelotti hails one Real Madrid player and explains his tactics against Manchester City

Carlo Ancelotti
Photo: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

It was a different ball game tactically from Carlo Ancelotti against Manchester City.

Both sides had played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.

However, it ended 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Real Madrid going on to win on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti was criticised for his defensive tactics against Manchester City at the Etihad.

Man City midfielder Rodri, claimed after the game that City were the better side, and Real Madrid played too defensive.

“Nothing much to say. Congratulation Real Madrid. To be honest with you, I only saw one team tonight,” he said after the game.

“We deserved to go through. There’s no explanation. We didn’t expect Madrid to be that defensive.”

However, Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that playing that way against Manchester City was the only way out.

“We thought we would play differently, but when we took the lead we dropped the block too much. And City had more control. It always has. I think we defended very, very well,” Ancelotti said.

“Madrid have done it many times. It’s this badge. In the shoot-out we were convinced we would qualify.”

Ancelotti also heaped praise on goalkeeper Andriy Lunin who had a good game and also made two top saves during the penalty shootout.

He said: “Andriy [Lunin] had a fantastic game. I really like it when a team sacrifices, fights. Besides the quality. This is the only way to win here.”

“We took advantage of the opportunity we had. We tried to start the game strong, not like last year, to have more pressure. It worked out well for us because we scored early. And then we defended, fought and sacrificed. For me, it was the only way to get out of this tie alive.”

1 Comment on "Ancelotti hails one Real Madrid player and explains his tactics against Manchester City"

  1. Philip Nkhoma | April 19, 2024 at 8:02 am |

    I agree with don carlo and henry also has the same observation.
    We defended really well and ultilised the only opportunity we had..we were the better side at the end and qualified.

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