Ancelotti relish City re-encounter: “Last season we played without personality”

Real Madrid’s coach revealed his formula for beating Man City: “Personality and courage” and ruled out any major changes to his system: “We’re not going to do anything strange”.

Carlo Ancelotti took his place in the media room at Real Madrid City to look ahead to tomorrow’s Champions League quarter final first leg against Manchester City at the Bernabéu. The two clubs meet against for the third year in succession, having crossed paths at the semi-final stage in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Tuesday’s game will also be a landmark moment for the Italian who oversees his 200th game in the tournament - more than any other coach in history.

200th game in the Champions League, what’s the key to tomorrow’s game: “The important thing is to get the best possible result. The mental aspect is important - we will need have to show courage and personality out on the field of play. We’ve had time to prepare for this game and we’ve prepared really well. I am confident that we will give the best we have, in every way - mentally, physically, technically... We have enough quality to compete.”

Bellingham, Vinicius, Camavinga and Tchouaméni are one booking away from suspension; possible pressure on the referee: “I hope that’s not the case, to prepare for a match like this there are other things to think about. We don’t think about this. We have four players who are on four yellow cards, if they don’t play the second leg, others will play. It is not a concern for tomorrow’s match.”

In what areas is Real Madrid superior to City? “It will be an attractive match for the world of football, because it’s between two teams, I won’t say we are similar because we both have our own characteristics, but both with a lot of individual quality. That quality is going