Real Madrid’s battling win over Man City felt like a heavyweight boxing fight… this was not a typical display from Carlo Ancelotti’s side but perhaps survival was the only way they stood a chance, writes AADAM PATEL

The clock had ticked just past 11.30PM when the UEFA representative informed the written media that Carlo Ancelotti would not be conducting a post-match press conference and that he would simply be going through the mixed zone instead. Yes, it was late but this was Ancelotti doing it his own way.

Minutes before, Pep Guardiola had discussed how he felt his Manchester City side could not have done any more to break through Real Madrid. ‘We played exceptional in all departments,’ he said. ‘They defended so deep with incredible solidarity. We did everything. I have no regrets,’ Guardiola insisted.

He was pressed further about Ancelotti and Madrid’s defensive approach. ‘I don’t want to judge the way and ideas with which Madrid and Carlo decided to play,’ he said. More than anything, it was a statement of respect rather than frustration.

Ancelotti’s side started brilliantly, content with City having possession in their own half though comfortable in possession themselves – their early goal was a prime example as they cut through City with ease.

Yet inexcusably after the break, Madrid went deeper and deeper as the City onslaught continued. It was one-way traffic and after the equaliser, only one team truly looked like they could win.

‘You can’t explain it. We started well, we took the lead and then we started to defend, to suffer, to qualify. We thought we would play differently, but when we took the lead we dropped the block too much,’ Ancelotti admitted afterwards.

Still his team fought admirably with Andriy Lunin – Madrid’s third-choice goalkeeper going into the season – putting in a man-of-the-match display.

By the dying stages, it felt like the twelfth round of a heavyweight fight with two elite sides refusing to be beaten. One on the hunt to win. The other, simply content with survival.

As the penalty shootout unfolded, Ancelotti strolled up and down the touchline in isolation, away from the rest, in his own space and with his own thoughts.

When his players and backroom staff raced towards Antonio Rudiger and Lunin after the winning penalty, the Italian expressed the briefest moment of joy with two fist pumps into the air before going to shake hands with Guardiola.

‘In the shoot-out we were convinced we would qualify. Andriy had a fantastic game. I really like it when a team sacrifices, fights. Besides the quality. This is the only way to win here,’ he said.

The only way to win here indeed. Ancelotti knows. He saw his side capitulate at the Etihad less than a year ago in the semi-final and knew sacrifice was needed. Maybe the blueprint for this ‘Don Carlo’ smash and grab was set up that night. This was not the traditional Madrid way. But perhaps it was the only way Madrid stood a chance.

‘Our biggest strength is [Ancelotti] finds a way to let the boys play with freedom. Other teams are structured with their patterns of play but we’re so off the cuff at times,’ Jude Bellingham insisted. ‘I caught him yawning before the game and he said ‘you need to go and excite me!’ That’s the calmness he brings.’ Bellingham added.

It’s now three times that a side managed by Ancelotti has eliminated Guardiola from the Champions League – 2014, 2022 and 2024.

For the Italian, an incredible 10th Champions League semi-final awaits. This time, against another former club in Bayern Munich.

No doubt there will be a telling off and perhaps a fine for his decision to not bother with the press conference. But then again, here is a man who has always done it his own way. And with great success too.

‘Everyone thought we were dead, but nobody can do that, Real Madrid never dies,’ the 64-year-old said exuberantly, after.

So just like the class and aura of Real Madrid, the class and aura of Ancelotti lives on. He remains the only manager with four European Cup’s to his name. And it would hardly be a surprise if that tally becomes five, come June 1 at Wembley.