Carlo Ancelotti recently defended Real Madrid’s style of play in their penalty shootout victory over Manchester City. Despite City’s dominance in the second leg, Madrid managed to secure a spot in the Champions League semifinals. Ancelotti mentioned that he has not met a single fan who was dissatisfied with the team’s progression.
In a news conference, Ancelotti addressed the criticism faced by the team and stated that everyone is entitled to their opinion. He emphasized the importance of performing well both with and without the ball, acknowledging that there will be instances where the team has less possession. Ancelotti seemed unfazed by the criticism and expressed confidence in the team’s abilities.
Madrid is set to face Bayern Munich in the semifinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 30. However, before that, they must tackle a crucial Clasico encounter against Barcelona in LaLiga. The team currently leads the league table, eight points ahead of Barcelona. A victory in the Clasico could potentially seal the title race in Madrid’s favor.
Barcelona coach Xavi also praised Madrid’s performance against City, recognizing the challenges posed by facing such a formidable opponent. Despite Barca’s recent Champions League exit, Xavi acknowledged Madrid’s strength and dismissed claims of luck playing a role in their success. He highlighted Madrid’s ability to eliminate top teams like City in previous seasons.
Following Barcelona’s disappointing Champions League elimination, Xavi admitted to frustrations and errors that led to their downfall. He accepted responsibility for his actions during the match and emphasized the need to minimize mistakes in crucial moments. Despite internal criticism from players like İlkay Gündo;ğan towards Ronald Araújo’s red card, Xavi maintained that any issues in the dressing room had been resolved.
Real Madrid’s style of play under Carlo Ancelotti has faced scrutiny, but the team’s success speaks for itself. As they march on in the Champions League and battle for the LaLiga title, Madrid’s resilience and ability to overcome challenges have been on full display. With key matches on the horizon, Ancelotti and his team will continue to strive for excellence on the pitch.