"Ancelotti's Battle Cry: Real Madrid Prepares to Unleash Courage Against Manchester City in Champions League Showdown"

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti didn't mince words when reflecting on his team's disappointing display against Manchester City in last season's Champions League, emphasizing their lack of courage and personality. Ahead of their highly anticipated quarter-final first leg clash, Ancelotti urged his players to exhibit more mental fortitude to avoid a repeat of their crushing defeat.

In the previous campaign, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City outclassed Madrid with a resounding 5-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals. Ancelotti pinpointed Madrid's failure to demonstrate courage and personality as critical factors contributing to their downfall, particularly in the second leg where they succumbed to a demoralizing 4-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium.

Reflecting on their past encounter, Ancelotti stressed the significance of mental strength in facing formidable opponents like City. Despite acknowledging his own pre-game nerves, the seasoned coach expressed confidence in his team's preparation and quality, underlining the importance of delivering their best performance.

However, Ancelotti admitted to experiencing personal tension before such high-stakes matches, describing victory as a relief rather than a source of immediate joy. Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, who played a pivotal role in containing City's attacking threats in the first leg of their previous encounter, shared insights into the team's defensive strategy.

Rudiger highlighted the need to neutralize City's key players, including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne, emphasizing his personal commitment to facing Haaland as a defensive challenge. Despite being left out of the starting lineup in the decisive second leg last season, Rudiger accepted the coach's decision without seeking apologies, demonstrating his professionalism and team-first mentality.

In essence, Ancelotti's critique serves as a rallying call for Real Madrid to rediscover their resilience and assertiveness as they brace for another showdown with Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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