One of the most important debate points in the Spanish capital is whether Real Madrid could start all of their attacking quartet, namely Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, without sacrificing the balance on the side. Although it turned out to be an elusive goal throughout the season, Carlo Ancelotti finally saw Manchester City over two legs, finally what he wanted.
During his press conference after the game, Ancelotti explained that their 3-1 victory over the city was 'The best version of Real Madrid' all season. In the Mixzone after the game he would do his best to emphasize the defensive work of his front four.
“First. We qualified. Seconde. We defended well. Third we played good football,” he told Guillem Balague of CBS Sports Golazo.
'I am really happy with this [the defensive work-rate]. With all this quality at the front it is difficult to think that we can defend so well. But the sacrifice of the four was fantastic in these two games, and this is the key. Because if you defend well, we are really dangerous at the front, because we have so much quality. “
At various points this season, Ancelotti has called 'collective dedication' without the ball, and Ancelotti was asked how he convinced them to buy in it.
“I just called them. All together. And I told them to be more defensive. And they did. With the ball. With Mbappe, Bellingham, Vini. With Raul's ball [Asencio]. So we have many options. We can be really dangerous in the transition, we can play good balls, we can play one against one on the sides, a lot of speed with Mbappe, many opportunities to attack. “
Their successive victories on the side of Pep Guardiola were the first historical victories of the season for Real Madrid, and they will hope to kick and go further. They looked a lot strong against a memorated city side, but in the next round will in all probability have more difficulty against Bayer Leverkusen or Atetico Madrid.
Comments