One shot in the first half was enough for Real Madrid to take the lead against Manchester City. But it also took one shot to their goal to get them into trouble. The Cityzens got a well-deserved equalizer and returned to Manchester undefeated, but how “cynical” and dangerous Ancelotti’s team can be was again seen.The Italian has a new mission to eliminate Pep Guardiola, with whom he has met twice in the semi-finals of the Champions League. And kicked him out both times. Although in both cases Guardiola’s team was the favorite.Ancelotti seems calm and confident before the second leg. The game plan is simple.”As usual. We will try to get the most out of the players on an individual and team level. I think we can do better than in the first match. This is a game that has been on our minds for a very long time.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##In the first match, Antonio Rudiger did a great job marking Erling Haaland. Now Eder Militao, who was suspended for the first match, is returning to the team, and he is the stopper in whom Ancelotti had the most confidence so far. Will Militao play or Ancelotti still trusts Rudiger?”Militao is very motivated and excited. His return makes it difficult for me to choose the starting eleven, but I have some ideas. If we win, then I made the right choice with the line-up. If we don’t win, then I’ve failed. It’s simple. When we prepare a game, we don’t analyze just one player but the whole team. You must have a complete plan in the defensive phase. Furthermore, if City must score, let them score early. Last season, Valverde’s presence on the right wing allowed us to win the Champions League, and this season Rodrygo is the one who made us reach this match undefeated.”Will Los Blancos wait for a chance from the counter?”We are dangerous on the counterattack, but in the first match we didn’t have much space for those, so I don’t expect a match with a lot of transition play. City had problems getting the ball back in possession when we were building play from the back line. That’s why we will try to keep the ball as long as possible and reduce the risk.”UCL: Lautaro’s goal of the season gives Inter a win and a trip to the finalsWhat will you say to the players before the game?”I do not know. I will say what comes to mind at the time. I need a team made up of players who read the situations well on the field because there will be moments in which we will suffer. Today I am very calm and confident. But I know how it is on the day of the game… Tomorrow I will be worried and think what if Haaland scores, what if De Bruyne shoots well again… But I should forget about that and imagine Benzema’s goals, Vinny’s dribbles… On occasions like these, you should prepare yourself mentally and stay positive”.‼️ Real Madrid have played 11 games on a Wednesday this season, they won ALL 11. ✅ Next game on a Wednesday:Manchester City vs Real Madrid. 🤨 pic.twitter.com/msnjnI5DNj— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 11, 2023 Ancelotti won the Champions League four times in his career, twice with AC Milan and Real. On the other side is Guardiola who has two titles with Barcelona, but the last one was 11 years ago. Since then, the Catalan was constantly among the favorites with Bayern and City, but he only reached the final once and was defeated.”This is my fourth season at the club, and I enjoy it as much as I did on the first day. We have come to the threshold of something very important. We are happy to have come this far, although it is quite normal for a club like Real because this club played in the semi-finals 11 times in the last 13 years. It is not easy to explain. For Real, the Champions League is special because of its history. From those first five titles to today. This is a club that has kept that story alive for decades, whoever plays in it. Di Stefano, Amancio, Gento… One of our greatest qualities is that we don’t forget history and tradition. Courage and character are important components that make the difference in games like this.”Are you expecting a penalty shootout?”I don’t think about that, but how to win the game. As much as you practice penalties, they are not executed in the same atmosphere in training as in an official match.”📽 ¡Manchester City – Real Madrid: del Bernabéu al Etihad! pic.twitter.com/ptA6JKvC9Y— Manchester City (@ManCityES) May 16, 2023 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUESemi-final, second legTuesdayInter – Milan 1-0 (0-0) (first leg 2-0)/Lautaro 74/Wednesday22.00: (1.67) Man.City (4.00) Real Madrid (5.60) (first leg 1-1)***odds are subject to change
