Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham has praised his coach Carlo Ancelotti for his calmness and composure during big games, saying it was a big motivation for the team.
Real sent out defending champions Manchester City after a shootout at the Etihad Stadium. The two played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, meaning the tie finished with an aggregate score of 4-4 and went to penalties.
“One of our biggest strengths is that we’re so off the cuff. As a man, he just fills you with calmness and confidence,” Bellingham told TNT sports
“Before the game, I caught him yawning and I said to him ‘Boss, are you tired?’ He went ‘Yeah you need to go and excite me out there’. That’s the sort of confidence and calmness he brings.”
Bellingham went on to speak of how hard his team worked to keep City at bay, saying: “I’m dead on my feet at the end of the game so it’s a massive reward. It’s so difficult to keep focus, they move you around and put you in positions you don’t want to be in. Most teams would fall apart when City got on top but we stood up really well and worked hard.
“You’ve got to see [the Real shirt] as a responsibility, not a pressure. You have to be willing to be under the scrutiny and spotlight. If you’re here it means you can handle it so trust the process.
“It’s incredible [to knock out the holders]. It comes down to mentality, to running, to track [players]…you get that right and then the moments like the lads keeping their heads in penalties, it’s a mix of that.”
