Ancelotti talks Mbappe, Ceballos, Valverde, Tchouameni, Haaland after Real Madrid 3-1 Man City | OneFootball

Real Madrid convincingly beat Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu last night to progress to the Round of 16 of UEFA Champions League and secure a knockout berth.

The Merengues entered the game with a one goal lead that they secured at the Etihad but put three more past the English opposition in the second leg to register the special win.

While they did indeed get the job done, it was the manner in which they inflicted the defeat that got fabs talking for they were dominant from start to finish.

Ancelotti faces the press

Speaking to the media after his team’s win, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gave his thoughts in depth about the game that unfolded against Manchester City and his views on qualifying for the Round of 16.

Carlo Ancelotti praised his team. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

He began by praising his team for the performance against an elite opposition and all the things they did right.

“We have repeated the good we did in the first leg. It was a complete game in all aspects: defensively, offensively with and without the ball.”

Elaborating on the effort his side had put off the ball against the men in blue, he said,

“When the team works well without the ball, the quality of the attack is very high and there are many opportunities. We had a very high-quality team in front of us and we found the attack-defense balance.”

The Italian gaffer then let loose and celebrated his team’s progression to the knockouts.

“We are in the fight for the Champions League and we have chances to go very far in this competition.”

“We’re in the fight, in the round of 16. It has cost us a lot to get here and now we have to respect both Atlético and Leverkusen a lot,” he added.

Ancelotti outlines the keys to the victory

Erling Haaland did not play against Real Madrid. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

A number of factors fell Real Madrid’s way last night, not only in their camp but also in the Manchester City camp where the likes of Erling Haaland started on the bench.

“Without Haaland, Manchester City loses power in attack. We scored very early with a long pass and then we have controlled it well,” Ancelotti said about the Norweigan star’s absence.

The manager then went on to speak about the importance of solidarity and belief in his team and how it helped them coast through the night.

“I think we’re on the right line. It has been very difficult for us to find the team and now we have to work to be at this level and if possible improve it.”

“It has been very difficult for us to find the balance, but every three days there is a game and it may be that what I say today is worth nothing on another,” he added on the challenge of finding his best XI.

“I think the players have understood the idea and it is the work without the ball,” Ancelotti concluded.

Elaborating on the system that has finally worked for his men, Ancelotti stated the importance of the 4-4-2 and why it was the lucky charm

“The idea of defending in 4-4-2 is correct. The team is comfortable and works well.”

“We must also highlight the great work of the two extremes: Bellingham and Rodrygo. We have to continue like this: with this dynamic, in this line and with this system,” he added.

The Real Madrid coach also weighed in on the current situation of Los Blancos across competitions and how the road ahead for the coming months appeared.

“We have reached the round of 16 with ten games and that is too many. Now we enter a more complicated period that includes the La Liga, the Copa del Rey semifinals and the Champions League round of 16.”

“There’s no way to stop. On an emotional level, this playoff has been good for us,” he added on the importance of winning over Manchester City.

On La Liga and silencing critics

Carlo Ancelotti has silenced the critics. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Ancelotti was then asked if the win last night was crucial to put haters to bed, to which he replied,

“It’s impossible to shut them. You can’t win every game. When we lose a game, the mouth will not shut up and they will criticize you.”

He was also asked interestingly about the rise of La Liga and the clear decline of Serie A, especially with AC Milan and Juventus both suffering elimination.

“I am very sorry for Italian football, but Spanish football is very much alive and shows in Europe what it is capable of doing not only at the club level but also with the national team. I hope Spanish football can also improve in other aspects.”

Ancelotti names the standout players

In the final phase of his interview, the Real Madrid coach ensured to name all the players who put in a monumental shift against Guardiola’s men and unsurprisingly began with the hat-trick hero.

“He [Mbappe] has the quality to reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s level, but he has to work because Cristiano Ronaldo set the bar very high,” he said when asked if Mbappe can reach Ronaldo’s levels.

Ancelotti compared Mbappe to Ronaldo. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“Because of the quality and the illusion he has, he can reach the level of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it will not be so easy for him. He has to work,” he added.

Ancelotti then went on to praise all his midfielders who did exceedingly well to never really give City a way back into the game.

“He is contributing a lot because he has had chances to play and is in good physical condition. He brings a lot to the team in terms of ball possession,” he said on Dani Ceballos.

“He’s happy to play there, but it’s been an emergency. When Lucas Vazquez returns we will have both options,” he added on Federico Valverde playing at right-back.

“And we must not forget that whenever he has played, he has done well. Even taking into account that, sometimes, there are very strong rivals in front,” he added, praising the Uruguayan.

Ancelotti praised his midfield. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Ancelotti also took out a moment to applaud Aurelien Tchouameni who returned to his natural position last night and played a perfect game.

“He returned to his position and there he showed his quality: very strong and forceful in the duels and concentrated.

“His association with Ceballos is good for the team because Dani is more in possession of the ball and he is more positional.”

“He is a very important player because he has these types of characteristics. He can’t be either Ceballos or Kroos or Modric, but neither Ceballos nor Kroos nor Modrić can be Tchouameni,” he added.

Finally, Ancelotti was asked if Raul Asencio deserved to be called up to the Spanish National Team, to which he said,

“What Asencio has to do, he is doing very well. He is very focused. Today’s first goal was for a pass like the one he made against Osasuna.”

“He’s contributing and looks like a veteran. If the Spanish coach thinks it’s good for the national team, that’s good for him,” he added.

Source: Real Madrid website