Real Madrid's Season Starts Now, Carlo Ancelotti Declares After Thrilling Comeback Victory

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Carlo Ancelotti expressed that Real Madrid's season truly begins now, following their dramatic comeback victory against Manchester City. Jude Bellingham scored a late winner, securing a 3-2 triumph at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. This result gives Los Blancos a strong position for next week's second leg in the Champions League play-off, with a significant opportunity to advance to the last 16.

Real Madrid currently leads LaLiga after a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last week. Despite facing an injury crisis, this morale-boosting win has set the stage for Ancelotti to outline the challenges ahead for the rest of the season. "The result is a tricky one," Ancelotti told Movistar Plus. "You've won, it can make you lower your [guard], believe that you don't have to come back and we can't fall into that trap."

Ancelotti stressed the importance of maintaining focus and preparation, similar to their performance against City. "You have to prepare well, as we did today, with the same focus, quality and sacrifice," he added. The Italian manager acknowledged the difficulty of playing at such a challenging venue but was pleased with earning a positive result.

Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz managed to equalize Erling Haaland's double before Bellingham's decisive goal in stoppage time. Madrid recorded 3.42 expected goals compared to City's 1.6, showcasing their ability to create better opportunities throughout the match.

Ancelotti praised his team's comprehensive performance, stating, "I think it was a complete game in all aspects." He commended their hard work and resilience despite trailing behind. "We didn't give up when we were behind," he said, highlighting their effective defense and offensive prowess.

The Italian manager noted that while City took an early lead through a penalty, Madrid's players demonstrated mobility, teamwork, and individual skill upfront. Although they could have been more precise in finishing chances, they generated numerous opportunities.

Bellingham's Historic Achievement

This match marked City's third instance of failing to win a Champions League game after leading twice against Madrid—the first occurrence at the Etihad Stadium. Bellingham made history by becoming the first English player to score against an English team for two different clubs in the Champions League. Previously, he netted against City while playing for Borussia Dortmund.

As Real Madrid prepares for upcoming challenges in both LaLiga and Champions League competitions, Ancelotti remains focused on maintaining momentum and ensuring his team does not become complacent after this significant victory.