Federico Valverde’s late powerful strike secured a momentous 3-2 victory for Real Madrid against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. The Merengues faced significant pressure throughout the game, but their clinical finishing and resolute defense ultimately carried them to victory.
This win catapults them into the top spot in Group C standings, positioning them favorably to finish as the group leaders.
Following his team’s triumph, Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media and discussed a wide array of topics, including individual player performances and the outcome of the match.
The manager initially assessed the team’s overall performance at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, particularly noting the shift in dynamics during the second half. He remarked, “We delivered a comprehensive and disciplined performance. Our first-half display was excellent, and after scoring the goal, we effectively operated in the spaces between the lines, creating numerous opportunities.”
“The dynamics of the match altered after the penalty, with Napoli pressing higher. We faced a challenging 10 or 15 minutes but subsequently regained control and secured the late goal,” he elaborated regarding Napoli’s resurgence.
Ancelotti then emphasized the tactical choices that worked well in the first half, singling out three players who caused Napoli the most trouble during the initial 45 minutes. “Our success in the first half can be attributed to the positioning of Bellingham, Valverde, and Rodrygo, which created considerable uncertainty for Napoli in the midfield areas.”
Regarding the final result, he concluded, “The outcome is just, and I anticipated a Napoli side with quality and dangerous players.”
Ancelotti proceeded to discuss Jude Bellingham, who continued to impress with his performance on Tuesday night. When speaking about the scorer of the second goal, he stated, “I’m taken aback by the fact that he’s only 20 years old, as his demeanor and character make him appear more mature. He maintains a constant focus on the game and understands his role.”
“It’s a rare quality for a 20-year-old. He possesses exceptional skills, physical prowess, and creativity. He surprises me, as he does everyone else,” Ancelotti added.
The combination of Vini Jr and Jude Bellingham proved to be a major source of Napoli’s difficulties. Ancelotti revealed the key to their effectiveness, saying, “We encourage Vini Jr. to find the positions where he can excel. Sometimes he operates on the flanks, while at other times, he positions himself more centrally. Bellingham combines effectively with him, and both possess ample creativity. Having these two players stationed on our left wing undeniably generates a significant threat.”
Contrary to reports suggesting Luka Modric would start, Ancelotti opted to have the veteran begin the match on the bench. However, Modric made a valuable contribution when he entered the game in the second half. Ancelotti commented, “He fulfilled our expectations perfectly, offering his wealth of experience to benefit the team. He played at a high level for 30 minutes, demonstrating his motivation and ability to contribute. This is precisely what a coach expects from a player who hasn’t been a regular starter. He has been outstanding in this regard.”
Another noteworthy decision in Real Madrid’s starting lineup was the placement of Eduardo Camavinga at left-back for the second consecutive game, benching Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia. Ancelotti defended this choice, stating, “I didn’t want to alter the lineup that performed admirably against Girona, especially in such an important match. Only Rodrygo, who had rested, was added. Camavinga brings a lot to the team, and in the first half, his attributes were pivotal to our success.”
Finally, Ancelotti was asked to comment on Kepa Arrizabalaga, who exhibited a solid but occasionally shaky performance during the match. Ancelotti remarked, “Every player possesses their unique qualities. Kepa is outstanding between the posts and made a crucial save in the first half, though he may face challenges with aerial balls. No one is flawless,” offering his support for the goalkeeper.
