Carlo Ancelotti has said his Real Madrid side “have the quality to take risks” has they look to overturn a one-goal deficit against Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg.
The Spanish side lost a thrilling first leg 4-3 in Manchester as they look to secure their first final spot since 2018 and have shown plenty of fight to come from behind in both their previous knockout games against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
And Real are flying high this week after clinching a 35th La Liga title at the weekend following their 4-0 win over Espanyol, sparking scenes of jubilation in the Spanish capital as the players rode an open-top bus to greet thousands of fans at the city's Plaza Cibeles.
But now attentions turn to the second leg at home to City and Ancelotti insists they will need more than just character to defeat Pep Guardiola's side.
“If we sit deep, we won't concede 99 shots and if we get into their box they are going have a go at us but sometimes you have to take risks,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
“In these games we have scored a lot – four against PSG, five against Chelsea, three against City – so we have the quality to take risks.
“The players are looking good. We know it is going to be difficult, but we feel confident. We do have a little bit of a disadvantage, but that is something we will address tomorrow.
“We will see a great game between two great teams with great players, but they are also different teams. Whenever you make it to a final or win a final, it’s not something you can do out of heart and motivation alone. That’s not enough. If we win, it will be out of collective commitment and individual qualities.”
Manchester City 4 Real Madrid 3: player ratings
-
MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson - 6: A couple of poor passes from the back in first half that could have been punished on another day. No chance with goals and outwitted by cheeky Benzema penalty. Reuters -
John Stones - 6: Playing out of comfort zone at right-back and had been solid enough up against the dangerous Vinicius Junior before limping off injured late in first half. Looked devastated as he headed off down tunnel. AP -
Aymeric Laporte - 5: Should have closed down Vinicius Junior before Brazilian's goal. Found himself in centre-forward’s position after 68 minutes but hit shot straight at Ederson. Blatant handball to give away penalty and allow Benzema to score from spot to make it 4-3. Reuters -
Ruben Dias - 6: Deflected Vinicius shot wide in opening 20 minutes but was relieved to see linesman flag go up when he deflected pass from same player onto own post. Important header with Benzema primed to finish just before hour. Twice nearly got on end of crosses that would have made it 5-3. AP -
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 7: Drilled shot wide of target in first half but beaten to ball by Benzema for Real’s opener soon after. Set up chance for Laporte that centre-half couldn’t finish. Did really well against pace of Rodrygo. PA -
Rodri - 8: The anchorman at the base of City’s slick midfield and bossed middle of park despite being up against Kroos and Modric. Couldn’t get track back quick enough to prevent Vinicius Junor scoring. Reuters -
Bernardo Silva - 8: Not as much impact as City’s wide players in first half but still a key part of City’s superb pace and movement going forward. Cracking finish into top corner to make it 4-2. PA -
Kevin De Bruyne - 9: Brilliant diving header inside two minutes to give City perfect start, then provided cross into box for Jesus’ goal. Was simply unplayable at times and his distribution another level to everyone on pitch, which is saying something considering the attacking talent on show. PA -
Riyad Mahrez - 8: Driving run and cracking ball into box to set-up De Bruyne’s opener but left manager Pep Guardiola going ballistic on touchline when he shot into side netting with teammates waiting for pass in middle. Hit post with glorious chance just after break and clipped another shot across face goal after mazy run. PA -
Phil Foden - 8: Caused chaos in the Real defence with his attacking runs down left. First touch let him down ahead of shot he pulled wide that would have made it 3-0. Should have scored just after half-time but saw Carvajal block his effort on line, but did make it 3-1 minutes later with simple header. PA -
Gabriel Jesus - 7: Four goals against Watford at weekend and continued his scoring streak with calm finish to make it 2-0 in blistering start from City. EPA -
SUBS: Fernandinho – (On for Stones 37’) 6: Fantastic run down right and ball into box for Foden’s goal but got done by Vinicius Junior in run-up to Real’s second goal minutes later. Younger legs than veteran midfielder’s have found Vinicius Junior’s pace a problem, in defence of veteran. Getty -
Raheem Sterling – (On for Jesus 83’) N/A. Getty -
REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 6: Helpless as defence went missing far too regularly and nothing he could do about first three goals – but caught flat-footed for fourth when Silva fired into top corner of his near post. EPA -
Dani Carvajal - 7: Allowed De Bruyne to ghost in front of him for City’s early goal. Vital clearance just before break from Mahrez cross across six-yard box and even more important block on line just after half-time from Foden after Mahrez hit post. Good ball into box that Militao failed to finish. EPA -
Eder Militao - 5: Struggled to deal with City’s movement and looked shaky at back throughout. Turned inside out by Jesus late in first half and then easily beaten by Mahrez early in second when Algerian hit post. Headed chance straight at keeper that would have made it 3-3. AP -
David Alaba - 5: Austrian defender was injury doubt before match and badly caught out for Jesus’ goal. Flicked header just wide of target on half-hour mark. Didn’t make it out for second half as gamble to play failed to pay off. AFP -
Ferland Mendy - 6: Supplied ball into box for Benzema’s goal but couldn’t handle Mahrez’s runs down his flank and endured a tough night defensively. Reuters -
Luka Modric - 7: Croatian mdifelder seemed to be missing midfield partner in crime Casemiro as Real couldn’t get ball off City for first 20 minutes. Played his way into game and hit shot just wide of target from edge of box in last 15 minutes. Reuters -
Toni Kroos - 6: Gave away clumsy foul on edge of Real box just before break and was relieved to see De Bruyne crack shot straight at wall. A lot expected of Real’s midfield before game but German struggled. EPA -
Federico Valverde - 7: Tireless workrate as always and in right place to divert cross away after Militao had been skinned by Jesus. Getty -
Rodrygo - 6: Powered shot straight at Ederson as Real started to battle back into game after disastrous start. Kept relatively under control by Zinchenko and his last contribution before being taken off was a poor pass out for goal-kick to waste good opportunity for Real. Getty -
Karim Benzema – 9: Great ball into box that Alaba headed wide in first half. Pulled Real back into game with excellent first-time finish after 33 minutes for 40th goal of season. Ice-cold nerves with Panenka finish from the spot and make it 3-3 from the most in-form striker on the planet. EPA -
Vinicius Junior - 7: Saw shot deflected wide after 18 minutes when Benzema was crying out for pass. Some Brazilian magic to make it 3-2 with a sensational dummy past Fernandinho, surging down left flank before finishing well. Getty -
SUBS: Nacho – (On for 46 Alaba’) 6: Real would have been hoping Spaniard would help shore up a leaky defensive showing but found dealing with City’s attackers as problematic as his teammates. AFP -
Eduardo Camavinga – (On for Rodrygo 70’) 6: No chance for highly-rated midfielder to make his mark. Reuters -
Dani Ceballos – (On for Rodrygo 79’) N/A. Reuters Marco Asensio – (On for Vinicius Junior 88’) N/A.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modric is confident the team is ready to continue their mission to win a 14th European Cup and will not be affected by Saturday's celebrations.
“We really wanted to go to Cibeles because it had been a long time since we could celebrate a title with our fans,” the Croatian said. “We enjoyed it but as soon as it ended, we were focused on tomorrow's game.
“It was a beautiful day and that's it, the season is not over. We are very confident that we can come back, because we know that in the first match we did not play our best game and we still scored three goals.
“We have the quality and character and the history of this club, having the most Champions League titles, also makes a big difference.
“We have to play this game with a little faith and a lot of aggression and energy we have to show everyone that we are Real Madrid that we are the best team in the world. That is what we have to bring tomorrow.”
Ancelotti confirmed that defender David Alaba misses the game through injury and will be replaced by Nacho. But Casemiro is fit again, handing Madrid a significant boost in midfield.
“Casemiro will help us,” Ancelotti said. “His return reinforces us defensively. I think we are going to see an improvement from the first leg.”
How City and Real reached the semi-finals
-
HOW MAN CITY AND REAL MADRID REACHED CL SEMI-FINALS - GROUP A: September 15, 2021 - Manchester City 6 (Aké 16', Mukiele og 28', Mahrez pen 45'+2', Grealish 56', Cancelo 75', Jesus 85') RB Leipzig 3 (Nkunku 42', 51', 73'). City manager Pep Guardiola said: "Leipzig never give up. They have a special way to attack. They play all or nothing." Getty -
![GROUP D: September 15, 2021 - Inter Milan 0 Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 89'). Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It's a very important victory. The team had a great attitude and thanks to [goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois, we have kept a clean sheet." AP](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/EB7JFU4E7N2W6IVXSBY3RXLVYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=55a935c10eb795d613d9e316c6c958bffef7f78093fd42e09da8b00a14db7cdd&width=400&height=225)
GROUP D: September 15, 2021 - Inter Milan 0 Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 89'). Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It's a very important victory. The team had a great attitude and thanks to [goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois, we have kept a clean sheet." AP -
![GROUP A - September 28, 2021: Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Gueye 8', Messi 74') Manchester City 0. Guardiola said: "Good performance. We did everything except score. They defended deep and were dangerous with counter-attack. The [Messi] goal was fantastic." Getty](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/BECI3YTW6GGDLL33S7X3W2MVBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=70b66b9563fc42e04542ab53f112c415d870c7669c345704fb2e7b5c7bd78c5b&width=400&height=225)
GROUP A - September 28, 2021: Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Gueye 8', Messi 74') Manchester City 0. Guardiola said: "Good performance. We did everything except score. They defended deep and were dangerous with counter-attack. The [Messi] goal was fantastic." Getty -
GROUP D: September 28, 2021 - Real Madrid 1 (Benzema pen 65') Sheriff Tiraspol 2 (Yakhshiboev 25', Thill 89'). Ancelotti said: "We had a lot of shots at goal but sometimes luck deserts you in games. Everything went well for them; everything went wrong for us." AFP -
GROUP D - October 19, 2021: Shakhtar Donetsk 0 Real Madrid 5 (Kryvtsov og 37', Vinicius Junior 51', 56', Rodrygo 65', Benzema 90'+1). Ancelotti said: "Vinicius finished very well indeed but it was a team effort to produce the goals. He's a young guy, a great player in the making, learning and right now he's brimming with confidence." AP -
GROUP A - November 3, 2021: Manchester City 4 (Foden 15', Mahrez 54', Sterling 72', Gabriel Jesus 90'+2) Club Brugge 1 (Stones og 17'). Guardiola said: "Fully deserved. In the first few minutes we scored a goal but after conceding we dropped a little bit. The second half was really good. A good game, good victory." Reuters -
GROUP D - November 3, 2021: Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 14', 61') Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Fernando 39'). Real attacker Karim Benzema said: "It was a tough game against a good team who played well. We suffer together and we win together. We maybe weren't at our best, but we got the job done." EPA -
GROUP A - November 24, 2021: Manchester City 2 (Sterling 63'), Gabriel Jesus 76') Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Mbappe 50'). Guardiola said: "The danger is always when they have the ball in the final third is terrible. But again we did a good performance like the first game. It was a lovely night for us." PA -
GROUP D - November 24, 2021: Sheriff Tiraspol 0 Real Madrid 3 (Alaba 30', Kroos 45'+1, Benzema 55'). Ancelotti said: "We continue along the right path. I like the way we're playing. The squad is in good shape, everyone is strong physically. It's important for us to finish top and we'll be looking to end our group campaign the way we've begun it." Reuters -
GROUP A - December 7, 2021: RB Leipzig 2 (Szoboszlai 24', Andre Silva 71') Manchester City 1 (Mahrez 76'). Guardiola said: "I was pleased with the second half, not so much with the first. We are happy to have reached the round of 16. It's an achievement. This was a tough group and we have had a very, very good campaign so far." PA -
GROUP D - December 7, 2021: Real Madrid 2 (Kroos 17', Asensio 79') Inter Milan 0. Ancelotti said: "The important thing is that we came top of the group. I'm not worried about the draw. Whatever happens, we want to try and win this trophy." AP -
LAST-16 FIRST LEG - February 15, 2022: Sporting Lisbon 0 Manchester City 5 (Mahrez 7', Bernardo Silva 17', 44', Foden 32', Sterling 58'). Guardiola said: "I am absolutely more than delighted. We know how difficult it is, this competition. We were so clinical - arrive, goal, arrive, goal, arrive, goal. When it is like this it is difficult for the opponent." Reuters -
LAST-16 SECOND LEG - March 9, 2022: Manchester City 0 Sporting Lisbon 0. City win 5-0 on aggregate. Guardiola said: "I'm a guy who learns at the time to enjoy the moment. When I qualify for the quarter-finals, I enjoy it; when I qualify for the last 16, I know how difficult it is. When you go through, every opponent is difficult." PA -
LAST-16 SECOND LEG - March 9, 2022: Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 61', 76', 78') Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Mbappe 39'). Real win 3-2 on aggregate. Benzema said: "In the first leg, we have to say we were lucky to leave there only losing 1-0. We were confident that we would have chances. It's a big Champions League evening and we showed we're a big club." AFP -
QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG - April 5, 2022: Manchester City 1 (De Bruyne 70') Atletico Madrid 0. Guardiola said: "We played an incredible top side who are difficult to face, but it is a good result. We had chances to score a second and third. It is not easy to face a team with a lot of experience in this tournament." Getty -
QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG - April 6, 2022: Chelsea 1 (Havertz 40') Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 21', 24', 46'). Ancelotti said: "Played well. It was a good night but it is only the first half of this round. We showed good organisation defensively. We had a fantastic performance up front from Benzema." AP -
QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG - April 12, 2022: Real Madrid 2 (Rodrygo 80'), Benzema 96') Chelsea 3 (Mount 15', Rudiger 51', Werner 75'). Real win 5-4 on aggregate. Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric said: "Unbelievable to describe this game. In the end we showed great character, desire and togetherness to manage to turn it around. A defeat that is very sweet." Getty -
QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG - April 13, 2022: Atletico Madrid 0 Manchester City 0. City win 1-0 on aggregate. Guardiola said: "It is the champion of Spain and they played with energy and in second half were better than us and we were lucky we didn't concede. In the first half we had chances, overall we are in the semi-finals - it is well deserved." PA
![GROUP D: September 15, 2021 - Inter Milan 0 Real Madrid 1 (Rodrygo 89'). Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "It's a very important victory. The team had a great attitude and thanks to [goalkeeper Thibaut] Courtois, we have kept a clean sheet." AP](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/EB7JFU4E7N2W6IVXSBY3RXLVYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=55a935c10eb795d613d9e316c6c958bffef7f78093fd42e09da8b00a14db7cdd&width=800&height=450)
![GROUP A - September 28, 2021: Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Gueye 8', Messi 74') Manchester City 0. Guardiola said: "Good performance. We did everything except score. They defended deep and were dangerous with counter-attack. The [Messi] goal was fantastic." Getty](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/BECI3YTW6GGDLL33S7X3W2MVBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=70b66b9563fc42e04542ab53f112c415d870c7669c345704fb2e7b5c7bd78c5b&width=800&height=450)
