Overview

MANCHESTER – Carlo Ancelotti praised the surprising performance of his Real Madrid team’s defense as they fought back from an 80th-minute deficit to establish a significant lead in their Champions League knockout round against Manchester City.

Key Moments

Goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham in the dying minutes secured a crucial 3-2 lead for Madrid, in a match where they dominated with 20 shots compared to City’s fewer opportunities. Despite conceding two goals from City’s Erling Haaland, Madrid’s defensive resilience shone through.

• Ancelotti’s Praise: “It’s a surprising game that we played tonight. I didn’t think the team was able to make such a sacrifice,” said Ancelotti.

  • Translation: Esta es un partido sorprendente que jugamos esta noche. No pensé que el equipo pudiera hacer un sacrificio tal.

• Defensive Challenges: The Madrid backline, thrown together amid a crisis of injuries, performed admirably. Notably, Ancelotti shared that the defenders had not trained together prior to the match. Heroic efforts by Raul Asencio highlighted the team’s resolve.

Takeaways

This performance signifies a potential turning point for Madrid, showcasing their capability to adapt under pressure. Ancelotti remained optimistic about the return of injured players but emphasized the maturity of the squad despite the challenges faced.