Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was disappointed his side missed an opportunity to defeat Manchester City but he was still pleased with their performance in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg that ended in a 3-3 draw.
After falling behind to a Bernardo Silva free-kick in the second minute, Real fought back to lead 2-1 at half-time following a Ruben Dias own goal and a Rodrygo strike. But Ancelotti's side were wasteful, allowing City to take a 3-2 lead with second-half strikes from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol.
Real salvaged a draw thanks to a brilliant volley by Federico Valverde but Ancelotti said the feeling he had at the final whistle was bittersweet.
"It was a winnable game, but at 3-2 we could have lost if we didn't have the confidence to come back," he said. "It was a very good game, evenly matched and competitive as long as we had the energy to press up front. We had our chances but they managed to score two great goals."
It was another epic encounter as the teams faced each other in a Champions League knockout tie for the third year running. Real eliminated City in the 2022 semi-finals but Pep Guardiola's side gained revenge a year later at the same stage.
"We have no doubts about the quality of what we saw on the pitch, two extraordinary teams," Ancelotti said.
"I liked very much what I saw from our team, especially the interpretation of the match, the courage and the personality.
"In the second leg we have the idea of playing the same game and see what happens."
City manager Pep Guardiola seemed satisfied with the result as he looked forward to the return leg at home. "I'd rather play the second leg at home than at the Bernabeu for obvious reasons," Guardiola said.
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is challenged by Phil Foden, left, and Rodrigo. AP
