Carlo Ancelotti reveals the weak link in Manchester City line up that they targeted to win the first leg

Real Madrid defeated and broke the jinx at Etihad Stadium with a 3-2 win over the Cityzens in the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. While Manchester City had early success in the game, it was Carlo Ancelotti’s men who had the last laugh. Erling Haaland scored the first goal of the tie but Kylian Mbappe ensured that Los Blancos equalized in the second half. In the 80th minute, Haaland converted the penalty to get City the lead again and when it seemed all the doors closed for Real Madrid, former Manchester City player Diaz equalized in the 86th minute and Bellingham found the goal in the injury time to give Madrid outfit a goal lead going to Santiago Bernabeu. 

Speaking about the game tactics, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid gaffer mentioned that they target Ederson to apply pressure on Manchester City. Whenever the shot-stopper had the ball, Real Madrid ensured that they pressed high and when he did not, they were playing with mid-block, making the passes difficult for Pep Guardiola’s men. He said:  

We looked to press high when Ederson had the ball, and to drop to a mid-block when he didn't, with the forwards coming inside and our midfielders not looking to push

While Ederson gave the ball away for the equalizing goal in the tie, he was caught in no man’s land for the final goal as he stepped out of his line but could not return before the slick passes put the dagger into City’s heart. Pep Guardiola mentioned that this has been a regular occurrence which they need to cull soon. The Spaniard said: 

Eddy decided to play a long ball, it was not a good kick and they scored,

Maybe we played short and they scored and you say play long. Players take a decision in the moment - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but it's not today, it has happened many times

What next for Manchester City and Real Madrid?

Manchester City will play Newcastle United in the weekend fixture in the Premier League whereas Real Madrid will face Osasuna in La Liga before these two square off in the second leg.