Madrid-City’s tactical keys: Ancelotti jails Haaland

1 Rüdiger and the ‘Carletto’ plan disable Haaland

“It was difficult to find him, it’s true,” said Guardiola of the disconnect between City’s game and Haaland, who was responsible for the finishing touch. But he had no choice because Ancelotti orders to close all roads to Norway, marked separately by Rüdiger, who also had Alaba’s help. Not only that.

Kroos, Modric and Valverde also acted as a border to prevent the ‘nine’ citizens from getting the ball. Madrid survived this. Haaland was the player to touch the ball the least with 21 touches.. Even goalkeeper Ederson (29) touched it again. Ancelotti had a plan to rest his team in a very compact defensive structure, not caring about putting his 10 players behind the ball and 30 meters from Courtois.

Causative three shots, ‘shots’ from Haaland instead. Only two of them are in the castle (m.15 and m.16), both are easy for Courtois. In the last one (m. 55), Alaba crossed the Norwegian’s path with an extraordinary move that caused applause from the Bernabéu and hugs from his teammates. Then there’s no sign of Haaland sneaking out the last half hour without any weight in the game.

2 Vinicius’ power

It wasn’t your typical ‘viniciuniano’ meeting. Madrid initially defensive, then more daring – It wasn’t too hard-, he always looked to the left. But Walker was wary, except for the 1-0 move, which was an almost perfect counterattack thanks to Modric’s ingenuity and Camavinga’s physical strength, and allowed the Brazilian to explore an unusual record in his catalogue.

It was a fierce and powerful right hand from outside the area. One shot, one goal from Vinicius. More efficiency is impossible. He dribbled as usual (five out of 11 went well), but it wasn’t the hammer he was used to.

Despite this, he dropped the goal that weakened City as he returned to the old ghosts of the past for a few minutes at the Bernabéu and the winger took advantage of the lack of understanding between Walker and Rodri to throw a poisoned ball at Benzema. In a small area to shoot the city. But first Ruben Dias faced off to miss the goal.

3 “We need to adapt a bit on the return: I have a small idea,” admits Guardiola

With the lights off at the Bernabeu, the first game at 1-1, Pep Guardiola repeatedly said he needed to “watch” the match. look carefully because it wasn’t his city. Or at least the City he’s been waiting for. They dominated the first half, but failed to score, and most of all, there were some who came dangerously on the pitch as Madrid blocked their game.

In the second half and at his most disconnected from the game, De Bruyne’s goal, the product of a heist Rodri made after a bad pass from Camavinga, appeared to enlighten him. City only needed 10 seconds to form the 1-1. However, Guardiola had to “look” at what happened on the first act to draw conclusions Needed to allow him to build a more recognizable City that can find Haaland.

“We need to adapt a bit on the return leg,” admitted the English club’s coach. “i have a little ideaAfter an awkward 90 minutes he added without hinting. didn’t make a single change, although he has plenty of resources on the bench. Foden did not look at Mahrez or Julián Álvarez.

“I wanted a midfielder rather than a forward, I didn’t want the game to get out of control,” said Guardiola, who preferred to keep Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish for a while, despite their lack of physical energy. grab the ball and don’t fall into chaosThe place Madrid manages wonderfully.