Thomas Tuchel entangled in Real Madrid's Enigma

Against City, Real were able to create more chances despite losing possession of the ball. Likewise, when facing Barca, Real, who were not so dominant, were actually able to record better expected goals (expected goals/xG). All of this is a characteristic of Real under Ancelotti, who has succeeded in making his team play based on function, not obeying the system.

"If you watch Real Madrid's goals and the opportunities created, and then step back 10 seconds, you may not always see that (goal) will happen. Everything seems under control (for the opposing team), with Real Madrid outnumbered. However, (they) advance quickly five seconds and the goal is scored," said Tuchel in a press conference ahead of the match.

A string of bewildering sentences about Real have not only come from Tuchel. Previously, City midfielder Bernardo Silva also expressed similar sentiments. Bernardo saw Real as a confusing team. He felt it when he tested Real's strength in the quarterfinals. Although City dominated the game, they could concede three goals in the first meeting and one goal in the second meeting.

"Real Madrid is a strange team. Sometimes you feel like you are in control of the game, but suddenly they launch a counter-attack and score a goal because their players are individually very good," he said.

Similar views were expressed by Tuchel. According to Tuchel's analysis, Real is made up of players who have excellent individual qualities. They combine this advantage with above-average abilities to quickly and accurately switch positions.

In the matches against City and Barca, Real had very troublesome weapons, namely counter attacks and speed in changing the direction of attack (switch play). Tuchel is also trying to reduce this ability in the next match. The four goals scored against City in two meetings is proof of this.

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Ancelotti's tendency to give his players the freedom to improvise on the field is an additional point as to why Real is extremely difficult to predict. This approach gives Real players more discretion, allowing them to be more creative. Each player can ultimately maximize their strengths.

However, this does not mean that Ancelotti does not adhere to a system in his game. This season, the Italian coach is comfortable applying the 4-4-2 formation, but can quickly change it when seeing the opponent adapting. This is supported by Real players who also have their own unique advantages. With these advantages, they complement each other.

On the front line, Real has Vinicius Junior or Rodrygo who have advantages in dribbling and speed. In the middle there is Toni Kroos or Luka Modric who are skilled at distributing the ball. Kroos and Modric's ability to switch play using accurate passing played a big role in Real's 3-2 win over Barca.

In addition, Real is also lucky to have an attacking midfielder like Jude Bellingham with excellent stamina to apply high pressure throughout the 90 minutes. Bellingham is also skilled at exploiting empty spaces in the opponent's defense without detection. As for the defense, Real has fullbacks Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy, who are capable of both attacking and defending.

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"This is one of the toughest games you can play. A semifinal against the biggest club in the world. We are looking forward to this challenge and hope we can take advantage of this opportunity," said Tuchel.

Semifinal experience

Real and Munich have met in the semifinals before. The two teams also met in the semifinals of the 2017-2018 Champions League. At that time, Real won 4-3 on aggregate before defeating Liverpool in the final. This time, Munich is determined not to lose again to Real because the Champions League is their only hope of winning this season's title.

Munich's hope to fend off the Real enigma emerged when they secured a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend. Striker Harry Kane scored two goals for Munich in the match. This achievement completes Kane's collection of 42 goals in one season across all competitions, a personal record for him. Tuchel will rely on Kane again to score against Real's goal.

"I am in a good and confident mood. If my teammates serve me as they have throughout the season, I will score a goal," said Kane.

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To curb Kane, Ancelotti obtained additional ammunition after Aurelien Tchouameni was confirmed to be able to play. The French defensive midfielder had previously been absent due to accumulation of yellow cards. However, Real is likely to still lose Mendy who suffered a muscle injury. If Mendy is absent, Eduardo Camavinga will be prepared to play in the left back position.

Ancelotti revealed that he is still tinkering with the player lineup prepared to face Munich. He rotated several players when facing Real Sociedad last weekend. There is a possibility that Ancelotti will play Eder Militao in the central defender position and Thibaut Courtois as the main goalkeeper. Both players had previously been sidelined for some time due to injuries.

(AFP)