Ancelotti calls for courage, personality vs. Man City

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti wants his players to show courage and personality when they face Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.

Man City beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the semifinal of the competition last season and went on to lift the trophy, but in his pre-game press conference, Ancelotti said he wanted an improvement this time around.

"We didn't play with courage and personality, which are fundamental aspects in this kind of game. We lacked that in the second leg."

"It wasn't just a mental problem, but also a technical one. They put a lot of pressure on us in attack and we didn't find answers and we have to avoid that in this tie," he told the press.

The Italian said Man City boss Pep Guardiola was a "great coach," adding that he was looking forward to an "attractive game."

"Two teams that are not alike are facing each other, as each has their own characteristics, but a lot of individual quality on the pitch. We expect to be better in some aspects, and they will be superior in others. Whoever wins after 180 minutes will be the better side," Ancelotti commented.

Ancelotti said that rather than himself and Guardiola, whoever qualifies for the semifinals will be down to the "feet of the players with the most quality."

"That's what's going to decide the game, as it always does. Matches are determined by the players on the pitch."

"There are a lot of things in matches like this: individual quality, duels, defense and counterattacks. We have to manage all these aspects well," he insisted, before stressing the need for a good result to take to Manchester next week.

"The first leg is very important, because we've got the chance to play in our stadium and we should look to make the most of the small advantage we have," said Ancelotti.