Ancelotti: The midfield is clear, Modric and others will play. If you defend well, you have at least a draw

Carlo Ancelotti entertained a room of journalists at the press conference before the Champions League semi-final when he dryly announced who will play in the centre of midfield. At the same time, he knows what it takes to get a good result.

It’s a repeat of last year’s semi-final, and a bit of an early final for this competition. Last year, Manchester City won 4-3 at home and could have scored six or seven times, they had chances.

In the rematch, Mahrez sent the Citizens into the lead and it seemed decided. But in the 90th minute, Rodrygo woke up, scoring two goals in two minutes to send the game into extra time, where Benzema decided the game. And Guardiola’s dreams were over again.

At the moment, there is a bit of a question mark in the Real line-up as to how Carlo Ancelotti will assemble the centre of midfield. In this weekend’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna, Tchouameni, Kroos and Valverde started, plus Camavinga at left-back.

However, there is still icon Luka Modric, who has recovered from a muscle injury and is fully fit for the match against City.

“The centre of midfield is clear, Modric and the others will play. Camavinga changes position sometimes, depending on whether we have the ball or not. Sometimes he plays as a back and sometimes as a midfielder between the lines. He doesn’t have to be so much attached to the line because we have the dangerous Vinícius there,” Ancelotti said at the press conference.

And how will Real Madrid approach the match? The offensive quality of the Citizens, led by Erling Haaland, is immense, but Los Blancos are not a team that relies on a solid defensive unit.

“If you defend well, the worst case scenario is a draw. But that doesn’t mean we won’t attack, because we have the quality to do that. Let’s not forget that last year we got 5 goals from City and scored 6. I would take it again this year,” the Italian coach said.

Source: Real Madrid, UEFA