Ancelotti: “We were competitive and had a plan”

Carlo Ancelotti emphasized that Real fought against City and that next Wednesday’s rematch is balanced, he believes that the “citizens” were superior in the first half hour, but in the second half they had the chances to win, he praised Riedinger’s quality and waits qualification of Milan over Inter in the second pair.

Analytically: “The feeling is positive. We played competitively, we fought, we had a good game plan and a good feeling, but the result did not compensate us. It’s a battle that can be balanced until the last minute.

City dominated the first 30 minutes, but they didn’t worry us. We had good positions in defense and waited for the moment to make an effective transition. In the second half we managed to manage the defense better. Yes, we could win.”

Commenting on Antonio Riediger and his duel with Erling Haaland, he said: “He is a player with a lot of experience and quality. He played very well in defense. It’s not easy. Sometimes he wants to push when the midfielders don’t. The important thing is that it closes the spaces between the two lines.”

As for the protests to the referee and the yellow card he received: “In the previous phase there was a throw-in that was not given. The referee was not very careful.”

Asked about the second leg, he said: “Manchester City feel they got a good result, and so do we. We’re playing away from home, we won’t have our fans, but we’ll have them in our hearts.”

Finally, when asked to talk about the other semi-final, he did not hide his preference: “Yes, 1-2… Forza Milan! With all due respect to Inter, but I can’t help but say Milan. I hope we can face them in Istanbul.”