Carlo Ancelotti Celebrates Real Madrid’s ‘All-Round’ Performance in Comeback Victory Over Manchester City

Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti (65) was effusive in his praise for his team’s performance after they showcased a commendable effort, securing a 3-2 comeback victory against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League knockout stage playoff on Tuesday.

Ancelotti expressed his joy at leading Real to their first triumph at the Etihad Stadium, asserting that the win was well-deserved given the number of opportunities created – with Real registering 20 shots compared to City’s 11, even after trailing on two occasions.

Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz equalised after Erling Haaland had netted twice for City, with Jude Bellingham netting a last-minute winner to give the reigning champions an advantage in the tie.

“I believe it was a comprehensive performance across all aspects, beyond any criticism from my side,” Ancelotti remarked to Movistar Plus.

“Everyone put in a tremendous effort. We created numerous chances and showed resilience even after going behind. It was a complete display, free of blemishes. I think we earned this victory.

“We defended well with a solid structure … they took the lead from the penalty spot, but our attacking players were particularly sharp. They could have been slightly more precise, yet they produced a wealth of opportunities through their movement, cooperation, and individual brilliance.”

Ancelotti wasn’t caught off guard by his team’s ability to deliver such a performance but cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need for continued focus heading into the second leg.

“The result can be misleading. Winning can lead to a false sense of security, making you think you don’t need to put in the effort again, and we must avoid falling into that trap,” the Italian cautioned.

“We need to prepare just as thoroughly as we did today, maintaining the same focus, quality, and commitment, just like we showed this evening, which was an exceptional performance.

“This is where the actual season begins, and despite the challenges of playing at such a tough venue, we managed to secure a fantastic result.”