Carlo Ancelotti’s reaction after Tuesday night’s Champions League win against City was as we’ve come to expect from him: calm, composed, and satisfied with the result. He saw his team create plenty of chances but still had a subtle message for the attacking quartet.
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Real Madrid secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie, taking a crucial advantage into the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It was a match filled with intensity, tactical battles, and moments of individual brilliance, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side demonstrating their resilience and experience on the European stage. The Italian coach described the game as a complete performance, acknowledging both the attacking efficiency and the defensive discipline shown by his players. Speaking to AS after the match, Ancelotti emphasized the importance of his team’s collective effort, saying that it was a complete game where everyone worked hard, created many chances, and never gave up despite falling behind. He reiterated these thoughts during his post-match press conference, underscoring the determination of his squad.
The statistics backed up Ancelotti’s assessment of Madrid’s dominance. Los Blancos registered 20 shots, six big chances, and an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.3, significantly outperforming Manchester City in every key offensive metric. City, despite their renowned attacking capabilities, struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities against a disciplined Madrid defensive setup. Ancelotti was particularly pleased with the effectiveness of his front four, yet he also pointed out an area for improvement, stating that while the front four were very effective, they could have been slightly more precise, although they created a lot with their movement and quality. This subtle critique reflects Ancelotti’s constant drive for perfection, even after an impressive victory.
One of the key talking points ahead of the match was Real Madrid’s makeshift defense. Injuries forced Ancelotti to deploy an unfamiliar backline consisting of Ferland Mendy at left-back, Raúl Asensio and Aurélien Tchouaméni as center-backs, and Federico Valverde at right-back. Despite their lack of experience playing together, the defensive unit performed admirably against City’s attacking threats. Ancelotti praised his defenders for their adaptability, highlighting that they had never even trained together before and emphasizing that, in times of need, the team finds something good. His words highlighted not only the individual quality of his players but also the team’s ability to adjust to difficult circumstances.
Ancelotti also provided insights into his team’s tactical approach. At the start of the match, they wanted to press high when Ederson had the ball, then stay compact in midfield without losing control. The attackers had to remain tight so the midfielders wouldn’t be pushed too far back. In possession, they aimed to use width and avoid getting frustrated by long passes. Real Madrid’s pressing strategy aimed to disrupt City’s build-up play and prevent them from gaining control of possession in dangerous areas. The team’s ability to transition between high pressing and compact defending was instrumental in keeping City at bay. At halftime, Ancelotti made tactical adjustments to fine-tune his team’s performance. He stated that they changed two things: at times, they didn’t press well, and in one of those moments, City scored. However, with the ball, nothing changed. Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo stayed wide and created a lot of danger. He told the players to stay calm, reminding them that this was only the first half of the tie and that they must not lose their composure.
Despite the win, Ancelotti remains wary of the challenge that awaits in the return leg. He warned against overconfidence, particularly given the deceptive nature of a one-goal lead. He explained that the result is deceptive because when a team wins, they might relax as there is nothing to chase. However, he emphasized the importance of preparing well and playing with the same quality and sacrifice as they did in the first leg. Ancelotti also expects to have key defensive reinforcements available for the second leg, with David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger likely to return. Their presence could provide added stability to Madrid’s backline, an important factor as they look to withstand City’s inevitable attacking onslaught in the decisive match at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid’s victory puts them in a strong position, but Ancelotti’s message is clear: the job is far from done. With Manchester City’s firepower and tactical acumen, the second leg promises to be another high-stakes encounter. If Madrid can replicate their first-leg performance with the same level of commitment, discipline, and attacking flair, they will be well-positioned to advance to the next stage of the competition. The stage is now set for another memorable European night in Madrid, where history has often favored Los Blancos. With the leadership of Ancelotti and the brilliance of their star players, Real Madrid will look to finish what they started and secure their place in the next round of the Champions League.
Updated: 11:47, 12 Feb 2025
