Tactical Analysis : Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid | How Ancelotti Beat Pep |

[gabrielsa]

The first half was like watching chess, just pure tactical briliance by both sides, but also, both sides were extremely careful, just laying traps and not risking anything
The second half was like watching an object against an unstoppable force, rudiger and lunin briliant and real defending flawlessly what every other team would have been broken
The extra time was just both sides at their limit. Nobody had anything left, and they just tried to survive
Pure football brilliance

[utipraise]

6.5 is very harsh for Ancelotti, you seem to forget that defending is an art in itself and defending city for 120 mins and limiting them to only one goal is incredible. You could argue that Ancelottis gameplan worked more than Peps because he won in the end considering it was at the Etihad and no one can dominate City there 🤷🏾‍♂️

[fithri]

attacking is not the only way to win games, defending is also another way to win games. masterclass tactical by mister don carlo

[joesifa]

Pep tactics: 🫰🤟👋🫵🧠🪄📐🧮📌✂️🔓🔎♐️⁉️🚼🔢🔀🔄🔙🃏

Don Carlo tactics: 🤨

[tsaageotrimm]

All Ancelotti needed to do to win was to raise one eyebrow meanwhile Pep gives out hundred billion instructions
😂🤣

[fillipe]

Ancelotti is away more then a cool senior and a group manager guy, people should start respecting him more when it comes to tactics

[ForexWeeb]

Jude was playing a very interesting role in that match, he was a attacking midfielder with a defensive mindset. Not in a bad way at all, he was just making the midfield unplayable. He was tackling high up the pitch which made it seem like Real Madrid had more players up front. Brilliant player and tactic, he did say that he was required to play a different role in that match on the post interview and it kinda confirmed what I was seeing during the match.

[vedantghanekar]

For once I thought that only I learnt how effective Kroos's off ball movement was. Damn he kept us in that match for most of the first half, Akanji and KDB both looked dangerous but Kroos did his best, one thing I thought I saw (I'm not sure cause I saw it only once) is that Cama came into that pocket to cover Akanji's run meaning that Bernardo was free for some time but he will be closely tracked by either Fede or Cama himself. Again meaning that Carva and Grealish were on for that 1v1.

[Princedullah]

people need to realize that Real Madrid was never going to the Etihad Stadium to dominate possession whatsoever. Ancelotti knew he needed to score first and he did with Rodrygo; if Madrid hadn't scored first, then there would have been no way that this team would come back.

Ancelotti played around with Pep's tactics. City having like 70% possession meant nothing if everything they did with the ball was sideways or backward. For Ancelotti, he dictated City's style of play with his defensive structure and player movements. Yes, I agree that it looked disgusting to watch, but Ancelotti dictated the play for tonight's game. He was never going to play like last year when we lost 4-0 and he made the field open for City. In fact, all those goals for City came from central positions where Real Madrid's defense was dissected through the middle. This year, he blocked the middle of the park, which is where City thrives and gave them the wings.

Ancelotti was playing around with Pep without Pep even knowing. This was a typical "You take the ball and play with it, but I won't give you a chance to penetrate and expose me" situation. Even City's goal today came from a lucky rebound back to De Bruyne. Other than that, City just passes the ball amongst each other with no real threat most of time. It felt like they kept the ball for 5 minutes for each attack and nothing happened.

I don't know why people are pissed at the fact that Ancelotti didn't expand his team and make the game so open. He knew that the only way to beat City was by closing down the midfield and forcing them sideways. Then, it becomes a training ground drill of pressure and cover for the players. The agenda that City dominated was due to Ancelotti giving City the ball for the entire game, knowing well that he can control the way City attacks with his defensive structure. It was working the whole game but eventually, the ball rebounds in the path of a City player for a goal. Other than that, Ancelotti coached a defensive masterclass that City struggled all night to break down.

Let's not forget, the same thing happened in the 3-3 game where City just passed the ball sideways and rarely created chances. In the 1st leg, they only scored through goals from outside the 18-yard box. Today, the exact same thing happened but Madrid had less possession than in the 1st leg. The only difference is that City never shot from a distance. Over the 2 legs, City could only really create scoring chances by shooting from outside the 18-yard box. We need to give a lot of credit to Ancelotti because he basically nullified City's passing through the midfield lines and forced City to play a boring sideways passing game over the 2 legs.

Once again, Real Madrid controlled the game by not having the ball since their defensive shape dictated that game and Real Madrid was content since they were making City do what they wanted them to do. That is to pass the ball sideways and backward and not penetrate through the midfield.

[pozsoz]

I hope you make one on the Arsenal vs Bayern match I love your analyses

[rachelzaw]

I would add one more. Ancelotti took advantage of Pep’s weaknesses: set pieces and penetration into the penalty box. Real Madrid was not scared to give away 18 corners while they received only one corner. He pushed City Players move to the wings and prevented the passes coming from the central areas. City could not make any single effective cross into the box.

[thesportsking]

A special shoutout should also be given Andriy Lunin. He played the game of his life

[aryados]

Virgin Pep: Build up from the back, 3rd man, vertical overload, open winger, tiki taka
Don Ancelotti: RM could you do sum for me

[PalestinianVictory]

Can't really believe you gave Pep a higher rating than Carlo... Carlo outclassed him

[brianheavens-ozrn]

I love the way Acheloti manage the football game

[thesportsking]

I also want to give a special to Real's GK Andriy Lunin, who is my MOTM. Looked very calm and composed, and made some great saves even when City started to get many men forward. Also held his nerves in the PK shootout, saving two penalties

[niksutliff]

Nacho was immense today. He has won 5 champions Leagues and frankly the experience showed. Calm and composed.

[may.b.tomorrow]

Papa Carlo laid it all out plainly: the opening match saw both teams scoring unlikely goals, resulting in a defensive-free clash, especially surprising on Spanish soil. Fortunately, it ended in a 3:3 draw. Similar to last year, Real was penalized for their open style of play.

In contrast, yesterday’s game was a cautious affair from the start. Why risk an aggressive strategy only to potentially concede 2-3 goals to City by the 30th minute? Such a scenario would have been perfect for Pep, but he was denied that pleasure. A defensive approach was planned from the outset, and a quick goal scored early validated this strategy.
With a quiet but solid defense, leading the score, and the occasional counterattack. Walker dominated Viney, showcasing why he might be the best full-back currently, that's why counter attacks were not seen from RM. Meanwhile, Rodrigo capitalized on a key opportunity.

Real maintained a low profile, while City, despite their sophistication, managed only one goal following Rudy's error. All their intricate passing and numerous corners yielded no significant results.
The questions are straightforward: either defeat Real Madrid and move to the semi-finals, or fail to do so and see Real advance. Lunin also deserves praise for his exceptional performance yesterday.

The game unfolded clearly, fairly, and naturally.
City pushed the pace to the max, but Real kept up.

[snipaphua]

Wonderful analysis ❤... Ancellotti has always been a genius.

[MrMMAJER]

I think the thing is Madrid players are willing to do anything to get the win, without complaining, even if it includes running during the whole game, or giving the back to their identity and have 11 players inside the box