Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was his usual charming self in the post-match press conference after beating Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate last night.
Where other managers may delve deep into the tactical aspect of analysis, Ancelotti was much more keen to highlight the emotional impact of the twists and turns in the match.
In fact, he maintains that going 0-3 down gave his team more purpose, whereas before they were holding something back. Speaking to Diario AS, Ancelotti gave a summary of the match.
“[There was] A lot of suffering, we were losing 2-0 without deserving to, the team did well. I suffered a lot. We didn’t have the hunger to score, we didn’t need to, but for me it was undeserved 2-0 deficit.”
“We struggled a little, we were worried, then the 3-0 liberated the team and we gave it everything. Across the 120 minutes, I think we deserved it.”
He then went on to explain how his changes were about adding more energy in the closing stages. Despite the success of those changes, Toni Kroos was not happy about being taken off at the decisive point in the match.
The Italian became part of a select club of managers to reach 8 Champions League semi-finals and will be looking to win the competition for a fourth time this year.
