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Real Madrid: Ancelotti explains his strategy to beat Liverpool in UCL final

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The Italian manager became the first coach to win four Champions League titles when the Blancos defeated Liverpool on Saturday.

Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final to secure their 14th UCL trophy.

A match-winner from Vinicius Junior completed the Blancos’ brilliant season as Liverpool failed to score at Stade de France.

The Reds dominated the possession for most of the game. But Real Madrid’s well-organised defence and Thibaut Courtois’ outstanding saves prevented them from getting back into the game.

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In an interview after the game, Ancelotti spoke about his side’s preparation for the final.

“Looking back, people said PSG were unlucky, Chelsea were unlucky, Manchester City were unlucky,” the 62-year-old said.

“This was practically the only game where people thought we were more or less on the same level.

“I think it helped that Liverpool were easier to decipher than the others, because they have a very clear identity and we could prepare the way that we did. We knew what strategy to take – don’t give them space behind the defence to run into.

“Perhaps our football wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful on an aesthetic level, but playing out from the back to incentivise their pressing wasn’t a great idea. We had a few more long balls, then we got to control the ball more, especially in the second half.”

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