Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said his preparations for Saturday’s Champions League final victory were helped because Liverpool were “more decipherable” than their previous opponents.
Madrid won 1-0 after Vinicius Junior’s goal in the 59th minute, with Ancelotti’s side keeping Klopp’s Liverpool stunning goalless, aided by an exceptional performance from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Speaking after the game, Ancelotti revealed that Liverpool’s clear identity under Jurgen Klopp, while making them formidable opponents, gave him a plan of success.
“Looking back, people said Paris Saint-Germain had bad luck, Chelsea had bad luck, Manchester City had bad luck,” Ancelotti said. “This was practically the only game where people thought we were more or less on the same level.
“I think it helped make Liverpool easier to decipher than the others, because they have a very clear identity and we could prepare the way we did. We knew what strategy to take: don’t give them space behind the defense to meet. “.
Ancelotti also responded to Madrid-style criticism. Klopp said after the game that Courtois’ winning man proved “something is wrong” for Liverpool’s opponents.
“Maybe our football wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful on an aesthetic level, but playing from behind to encourage pressure wasn’t a great idea,” the 62-year-old said. “We had a few more long balls, then we were able to control the ball more, especially in the second half.”
The Champions League victory was Ancelotti’s fourth as a coach, more than any other coach. He won two more European Cups with AC Milan as a player.
(Photo: Oscar J. Barroso / Europa Press via Getty Images)