Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hits back at Bernardo Silva after the Manchester City midfielder described Real Madrid as a ‘weird team’ following the elimination from the UEFA Champions League by the Spanish giants.
The Cityzens and Real Madrid were paired against each other for the third consecutive time this season. Last campaign, Manchester City were the better side. They defeated Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the reverse fixture after a 1-1 draw at the Bernabéu.
Similarly, both teams settled for a draw at the Bernabéu this campaign. They played a 3-3 draw but the reverse fixture at the Etihad was different from the previous one. The Spanish team stood their ground against the Cityzens. They defended brilliantly to prevent a repeat of last season and the match including the extra-time ended in a 1-1 draw.
Real Madrid were able to overcome Manchester City during the penalty shootout, and Bernardo Silva described their tactics as weird after the match.
“Real Madrid are a weird team,” Silva told TNT Sports. “Sometimes it seems like you have control of the game and out of nowhere, they run twice [on the counter] and score two goals because their players individually are very good. They are so fast and strong on the counterattack that it is not easy to control them.
“If you attack with too many players, they run on the counter. If you don’t attack with many players, it feels like you’re not effective enough to attack them properly. So it is difficult to make these small decisions in the game.”
Responding to the comment, Carlo Ancelotti hit back at the Manchester City midfielder as he prepared his team for the semi-final clash against Bayern Munich.
Contrary to Bernardo’s opinion, Ancelotti believes that his team are not strange but have mastered the art of playing the competition and can show it past history.
“We are not strange,” he said ahead of the Bayern clash. “We are a team that can show the history of the past in this competition.
“There is nothing I have to say to Bernardo Silva. He is a great, gigantic player and last year they made it to the final and now it is up to us.”
Pep Guardiola Praises His Player After Champions League Qualification
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has commended his players for their efforts to make the next UEFA Champions League spot, claiming that the achievement deserves to be celebrated.
Speaking after the 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend, the City manager there are many teams struggling to make the top four and will be happy to be in Man City position; therefore, the club CEO and others will be happy with the achievement.
“Wow! I’m going to celebrate it tomorrow; my CEO and our owner will be so happy! How many teams would love to be in that position? It’s really good news,” Pep said.
“I think qualification for the Champions League is the most important target one team can have. We did it! Big congratulations to all the club; the players especially to achieve it.”