Real Madrid must stop City, not only Haaland - Ancelotti
Ancelotti , the manager of Real Madrid, has stated that his team must stop Manchester City's whole team, not just striker Erling Haaland, when the two sides meet in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday. Although the Norwegian hitman has 12 goals in eight Champions League matches and 51 goals in 45 games across all competitions, Ancelotti says that City looks "unstoppable" as a whole, and his plan is to try and foil the complete team.
Ancelotti acknowledged Haaland's impressive qualities and his threat, but he believes that Manchester City has many more avenues to cause danger with Haaland in the side. He considers City to be a more complete team than last year, with a very tall striker who can take advantage of long balls and De Bruyne, who can win balls in the air behind him. City is very well organized at the back and is a team that handles the ball very well.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney recently suggested that City would "blow away" Madrid in the tie, but Los Blancos midfielder Toni Kroos laughed it off. Kroos reminded everyone that Madrid beat Manchester City in last season's semi-finals despite losing in the first leg, and it was the same a year ago. The German added that it doesn't affect them and it doesn't motivate them more either because it's impossible to be more motivated than they are.
City has been foiled time and again in its quest to win the Champions League, but Haaland's lethal edge gives them a strong chance of beating Madrid and reaching the final. Ancelotti said his team is not setting up for a game to stop Haaland, but to stop a team that seems unstoppable. He believes they can have an equal game, one that they can win.
Madrid is the reigning 14-time record champions, while Pep Guardiola's City is hungry for its first Champions League title. The two sides are meeting in the semi-finals for the second year in a row, with Madrid winning the first leg last year before losing the second leg.
This time around, both sides have significant injuries. Madrid will be without Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy, while City will be without the suspended Kevin De Bruyne and the injured Sergio Aguero.
In conclusion, Ancelotti's comments suggest that Madrid is not taking Haaland lightly, but it is more focused on stopping Manchester City's complete team.
Madrid is confident in its abilities and is looking to repeat last season's success against City. On the other hand, City is determined to win its first Champions League title and has a lethal striker in Haaland to help them achieve it. It promises to be a thrilling semi-final encounter.
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