Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti called his striker Kylian Mbappe the ‘icing on the cake’ … [+]
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti called his striker Kylian Mbappe the ‘icing on the cake’ after he scored a hat trick in what was arguably their team’s best performance of the season against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Madrid came out 3-1 winners in the European competition’s playoffs second leg, to secure a 6-3 aggregate victory overall while setting up a last 16 meeting with either crosstown rival Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
Post-match, Ancelotti was asked if this was Madrid’s best showing in 2024/2025, and he at least agreed that his team “played very well” and “complete, defensively”.
“We wanted to do it that way, to repeat the good things from the first leg. We controlled the opponent’s possession well, and then there’s the quality,” he added.
Asked specifically about breakthrough star Raul Asencio, who had a fantastic game, Ancelotti said that “they all stand out” when talking about his players.
“[Ferland]
Mendy, [Toni] Rudiger, [Fede] Valverde, the pair of pivots, up front..,” he trailed off.
“It was a good game. They have learned what to do very well. This tie strengthens us. We have brought out our best version,” Ancelotti also said, before calling Mbappe “the icing on the cake”.
“Everyone expected this hat trick and it has arrived. He is not the only one, we have many who make a difference, and they mark it with collective work.”
Asked if title race rival Atleti – which Madrid has drawn with twice this season in La Liga – would be a more difficult foe next up, Ancelotti said: “Whatever comes.”
“It has cost us a lot to reach the round of 16, more than necessary. We’ve played 10 games to get here. Hopefully it can go well this year,” Ancelotti concluded.
Losing first place in La Liga to FC Barcelona after the draw at Osasuna which saw Jude Bellingham red-carded and subsequently banned for two matches, Madrid now turns its attention towards a domestic showdown with Girona on Sunday.
It will of course have one eye on the UCL knockout phase draw on Friday, however, which as said will pit it against either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
