Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid struggled to contain N’Golo Kante in the first half at Stamford Bridge (PA)
Carlo Ancelotti admits Real Madrid struggled to deal with N’Golo Kante during their 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
Madrid were favourites to reach the semi final after their 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu last week but Chelsea started brightly in the return leg and should have taken the lead as Kante and Marc Cucurella missed two excellent chances.
The Champions League holders stepped up a gear in the second half and Rodrygo silence the Stamford Bridge crowd with his goal from close range in the 58th minute.
The Brazilian then rounded off an excellent Madrid move with ten minutes remaining to secure his side’s 2-0 victory.
But Ancelotti insists Madrid needed mid-game tactical changes in order to halt Chelsea’s push to find a way back into the tie.
‘I think that we suffered the position of Kante, that wasn’t right,’ Ancelotti said after the game.
Rodrygo struck twice to seal Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Chelsea (CameraSport via Getty)
‘Camavinga was used to put pressure on Reece James on the left and we had difficulty controlling the position of Kante.
‘In the second half changed the position, I put Valverde on the left just to control the position and we were much better there because the position in the first half Modric went to stay with Enzo and that position was not covered properly and Camavinga suffered two against one.
‘Because of this there were six crosses from that side in the first half, second half was much better.’
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Ancelotti also credited Thibaut Courtois for his save to deny Cucurella in the first half.
‘We’re very happy to reach another semi final,’ said Ancelotti.
‘We fought a lot, it was a complicated game as we predicted. In this type of game the rival is going to give everything.
‘Chelsea played very well, especially in the first half. They caused us a lot of problems, Courtois saved us, kept it 0-0 until half time.
‘In the second half we played a lot better, we had a lot more quality. Chelsea lowered their intensity a bit and we were able to control the ball better.’
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Madrid sealed a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.