Real Madrid tactic shows Man City player Carlo Ancelotti is most scared of

Carlo Ancelotti downplayed the impact of Erling Haaland on this semi-final, telling Real Madrid to do what so many managers have tried and failed to manage this season - stop the service and stop him scoring. Maybe Ancelotti's stance was because he had spotted a more influential Manchester City player to concentrate on, with Ilkay Gundogan targetted from the first minute after his two-goal show against Leeds at the weekend.

Gundogan played a little further forward than at the weekend, asked to turn on the ball and keep City on the front foot. In response, Germany teammates Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos both left Gundogan needing treatment after 'challenges' that saw Pep Guardiola furious.

With the noise over Gundogan's future growing, especially with his performances underlining his importance to the Blues, it was telling that Real went to such great lengths to minimise his influence. Maybe it's a good idea to keep hold of a player who worries a manager like Carlo Ancelotti so much?

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City won't need any reminding of what happened the last time they were at the Bernabeu. Having dominated a first leg but conceding three times, City were en route to the 2022 final until two injury-time goals broke their hearts. In truth, City were the better time across both legs last year, but Real just wouldn't be beaten and kept themselves in the game despite being second-best for long periods.

So it was unsurprising this year's semi-final followed the same pattern. City dominated the ball with 72 per cent possession in the opening half-hour, creating chances and frustrating the home fans. But Real are masters of the counter, and Vinicius Jr's rocket