“I think that in this type of game courage is an important component,” Ancelotti said at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Etihad Stadium.
“On an individual and collective level, the two teams are similar, but courage makes the difference, knowing how to endure and suffer. Courage will make the difference,” added the Real Madrid coach.
“I want a team that knows how to read game situations well because we are going to have moments of suffering, you have to know how to read these types of situations well, just like when your opponent is in difficulty,” he said.
“It’s not going to be a very different game (from the first leg), but there will be some adjustment from City and Real Madrid,” Ancelotti said.
“There are things we can improve and they can improve things too. City have the best team in Europe and it’s going to be a vibrant game full of emotion,” judged the Real Madrid coach.
Ancelotti, who had stated on Saturday that Antonio Rüdiger would play on Wednesday at the start after his good performance in the first leg against Erling Haaland, qualified that “it was a misunderstanding”.
“Rüdiger can play the same as Rodrygo, Militao or Camavinga,” corrected Ancelotti, whose plan against City is to “try to get the best out of the team as individuals and as a collective.”
“It’s a match that will demand a lot. It can be done better than in the first leg and that’s what we’ll try tomorrow,” Ancelotti said.
The Italian coach assured that “we reached the top because it is a game that we have had in our heads for a long time”.
Ancelotti assured that this Tuesday “I am very calm, excited and with a lot of faith, tomorrow will be the day of concern.”