Ancelotti optimistic about the chance to beat Man City in the second leg

Spain According to coach Ancelotti, if they just play like the first leg at Bernabeu yesterday, April 9, Real can beat Man City in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

"What I wanted was to have a small advantage after the first leg, but we have to be satisfied with the result," said Carlo Ancelotti after the 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu with Man City. "The game was very even and competitive. We played very well, despite the high pressure. If we continue like this in the second leg, we can go through."

Ancelotti admitted he did not expect Bernardo Silva's direct free kick into a tight corner to open the scoring for Man City in the second minute. But according to him, the early goal not only did not have a negative impact, but also made Real players play well in the next 60 minutes. The home team responded with a long-range shot that led to Rodri's own goal in the 12th minute and a wing-back run by Rodrygo in the 14th minute.

Ancelotti (left) directs midfielder Jude Bellingham during Real's 3-3 draw with Man City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Bernabeu on April 9. Photo: AFP — Ancelotti (left) directs midfielder Jude Bellingham during Real's 3-3 draw with Man City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Bernabeu on April 9. Photo: *AFP*

Regarding the two goals conceded in the second half, Ancelotti said they were unavoidable. After Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol shot from outside the box into the far corner, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin could not save them despite flying at full range.

Up front, the Real coach was proud of the surprise when he arranged Vinicius and Rodrygo to play on the left wing. Vinicius, who often tormented Man City with his speedy dribbles, dropped back to set up Rodrygo to make it 2-1. "Our second goal was perfect. Vinicius and Rodrygo worked very well together," Ancelotti added.

Real will be without Aurelien Tchouameni for the return leg. The Frenchman has picked up enough yellow cards to warrant a one-match ban. Ancelotti said he would replace Tchouameni with Nacho or Eder Militao.

The Real Madrid coach has called on fans to cheer enthusiastically when they visit the Etihad next week. He promises to repay them with a great match like the first leg and try to beat Man City.

"The pitch is the same, and we only have the disadvantage of the fans," Ancelotti said of the return leg. "We will try to play like the first leg."

Real had the advantage of playing at the Bernabeu in the first leg, but it was Man City who started better. When awarded a free kick about 25 metres from goal, Silva unexpectedly shot low into a tight corner to open the scoring for the visitors. After conceding an early goal, Real responded well. They equalised thanks to Eduardo Camavinga's long-range shot that Rodri put into his own net in the 12th minute, made it 2-1 from Rodrygo's run in the 14th minute, and had a number of other chances.

However, Man City still showed why they won the title last season. In the 66th and 71st minutes, Foden and Gvardiol consecutively shot from long range to equalize 2-2 and increase the score to 3-2. Real had to rely on Federico Valverde's volley in the 79th minute to escape defeat.

The two teams will play the second leg at the Etihad on April 17. Last season, they drew 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-final at the Bernabeu, before Man City won 4-0 at the Etihad.

Thanh Quy (according to Marca )

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