Carlo Ancelotti Tactics That Sent Real Madrid Past Man City In Champions League – Tactical Analysis

The play-off round of the new Champions League format has conjured up some mouth-watering ties. 

None more so than Real Madrid vs Manchester City. 

The last two winners of the competition will have been disappointed that they did not automatically qualify for the Round of 16.

This fixture was an unwelcome duty, as both have significant work to do domestically. 

The first leg saw late drama. 

Man City had gone 2-1 up against the reigning champions. 

However, two late goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham gave Los Blancos the lead going into the second leg. 

An injury-ridden Man City turned out to be no match for the Spanish giants. 

A Kylian Mbappé hat-trick extended Madrid’s aggregate lead to 6-2. 

City did manage to pull one back late on. 

Yet this one was one of the most complete displays by Real Madrid in recent memory. 

This post-match analysis will examine four key areas of Real Madrid’s game that led to their dominating performance under Carlo Ancelottis tactics. 

Real Madrids defensive structure, build-up play and attacking prowess will all be analysed. 

Man City’s flaws will also be discussed as they struggled to handle Madrid’s quality. 

Real Madrid Vs Manchester City Lineups 

Real Madrid lined up in their classic 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois was behind a back four of skipper Federico Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy. 

A double pivot of Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouaméni was at the base of the midfield. 

Bellingham had a relatively free role in possession and operated as the 10. 

Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo made up the front three. 

Pep Guardiola had some real concerns injury-wise going into this game. 

Long-term absentees such as Rodri were unavailable. 

However, Erling Haaland was suffering from issues prior to the match and was unable to start. 

Ederson started in net. 

The back four that began the game consisted of Champions League debutant Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones, Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. 

Ilkay Gündoǧan and Nico Gonzàlez played as the two sitting midfielders. 

In front of them was an interchanging front of four: Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush. 

Real Madrid’s Defensive Discipline 

In a team full of attacking talent, defensive discipline isn’t always the first thing that will come to your mind. 

Nonetheless, this was key to Carlo Ancelottis Madrid getting the better of City. 

Lining up in a disciplined 4-4-2 shape, Madrid’s attacking talent had to fulfil their roles diligently. 

As seen from their setup, 

Bellingham takes up a position as a left midfielder.