UCL: ‘We Played Without Courage’_ Carlo Ancelotti Admits

Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team lack of courage and personality in their last CL clash against City.
Ancelotti emphasized the importance of mental preparation.
Both teams seek qualification into the next stage of the competition.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has admitted that his team played without courage in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-finals clash against Manchester City at Ethiad stadium.

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Recall that in the last season’s semi-finals match, Real Madrid and Manchester City drew 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, but in the return leg, but the Premier League champions delivered a stunning 4-0 defeat in the second leg. Subsequently, Manchester City secured their first-ever tournament victory in the club’s history.

It’s intriguing that the two clubs will clash in the quarter-final stage of this season’s tournament, with the first leg scheduled to be held at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Ahead of the game, which will kick off at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, coach Carlo Ancelotti told a press conference that the 14-time Champions League winners lacked all the attributes needed to beat City.

City players celebrating a goal against Madrid at the Ethiad Stadium

“We played without courage, without personality — courage and personality are fundamental in this type of game, we lacked them in the second leg,” Ancelotti said on Monday.

He continued, “The important thing is to be at our best, the mental aspect is very important.

“In terms of courage and personality, we’ve had time to prepare for the game, we’ve prepared very well, and I am confident that we will give our best and we’ve got the quality to compete.”

Manchester City can stay firmly on course in their bid to defend their Champions League crown by securing a first-leg win away at familiar rivals Real Madrid.

While Real Madrid will be looking forward to adding another Champions League trophy to their trophy-laden cabinet this season.