Ancelotti: “We have played with the bridles thrown, like horses”

Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged before the Movistar Champions League cameras that Chelsea took Madrid to the limit and that the 0-3 served for the team to react.

What a game, heart attack…

A lot of suffering, we were 0-2 without deserving it, the team did well. I have suffered a lot. We weren’t hungry to score, we didn’t need it, but for me the 0-2 was not deserved. There we went down a bit, we worried, the 0-3 freed the team and we gave everything. Of the 120 minutes, I think we gave it our all and deserved it.

Did they play too preoccupied, without letting go?

I think so, we have played a bit with the pulled bridles, like horses. Then we freed ourselves, the stadium pushed, with its magic, and we knew that we had to suffer. It’s quite normal, Chelsea are a great team.

Who do you want in the semifinals?

We have to be proud of what we did, we played a very tough round of 16 with PSG, now Chelsea are in the quarterfinals, and a semi-final is coming in which we are happy. I’m happy for Villarreal, very happy for them. We gave a boost to Spanish football, which was said to be not at the same level as the English, and there are two Spaniards in the semifinals.

Later, the Madrid coach analyzed the match in the press room in front of the rest of the media.

A magical night. Is this even more special than PSG? The changes have been brave. How have you experienced it in the band?: “We won because we had the energy to keep the match alive. The changes were to put more energy. Later, the forced change of Nacho because he could not continue. The team suffered a lot. They all showed their faces. The match was difficult, we knew that, but it was more complicated. We did not deserve the 0-2. We suffered from set pieces because we were missing our best set piece player, Militao. We weren’t hungry enough to score goals in the second half, but the game was good. After the 0-2 the team had a psychological downturn, but the magic of this stadium helps the players and the team a lot to never give up. I am very happy to reach the semi-finals with this team and this club. Suffering, but the more you suffer, the happier I am”.

How did you live from 0-3 to the happy ending?: “I have to be calm, evaluate well what I have to do. I put Camavinga and Rodrygo to put energy into the team. Chelsea’s wear and tear under pressure was great and this gave us an advantage in extra time. The team was fresher.”

The team ended up with a short defense. Did he ever see him lost? And how did Benzema finish?: “Benzema has nothing. I never saw him lost, although it was complicated. At the Bernabéu you can never give it up. Carvajal has played very well as a central defender”.

Can anyone say that Madrid is not going to win this Champions League?: “No one can tell. Nobody can say that we are going to win it. Today we show that we can compete until the last game. I want to congratulate Villarreal, who have dealt a strong blow. Congratulations Unai. In the end, few thought that Spanish football sent two teams to the semifinal of the Champions League. Two are already there and tomorrow could be the third”.

Rodrygo also has a special magic with the Champions… “When he enters the game he makes the difference. He has done it many times. Also against PSG. He’s a young, important player who needs time to get on board even better, but I’m satisfied with him”.

Camavinga has been fundamental against PSG and Chelsea. What future do you see in Madrid?: “His quality, extra energy… He can play from the start. When the games lose a bit of intensity and you have Camavinga, Valverde and Rodrygo fresh, you can change the games with the energy they bring”.