Carlo Ancelotti has been quoted by Madrid Universal as saying experienced Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez did a “brilliant job” on Liverpool superstar Mo Salah on Wednesday night – with Nacho naturally a central defender.
Nacho, 33, is in the final year of his Real Madrid contract. The right-footed centre-back has been an ever-present star for Madrid over the years, only ever playing for his boyhood club. He has surpassed 300 games for Madrid this term.
Under Ancelotti this season, the 22-time Spain star has played on the right, the left and in the middle. On Wednesday, he was used on the left as Madrid tried to stifle Reds ace Salah. Despite being on the wrong side, Nacho did just that.
Ancelotti raved about Nacho after the match for doing a “brilliant job” on Salah, identifying that it is “not easy” to play against Liverpool’s top scorer. Even this term, which has been a struggle for Liverpool – Salah has still scored 22 goals.
“Nacho delivered a top-class performance. It isn’t easy to play against Salah and he did a brilliant job. The problems I have come when I have to play guys out of position,” Ancelotti said on Nacho, as per Spanish outlet Madrid Universal.
Ancelotti: Madrid ace Nacho did brilliant job on Liverpool superstar Salah
Madrid were solid and never really looked as if they were going to concede. The Reds did have half chances but they did not particularly trouble Thibaut Courtois – the likes of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota having a couple of efforts.
Ultimately, the Madrid defence was superb. That is despite Nacho, a player in the latter stages of his career, playing on the wrong side and out of position, against one of the best right-sided attackers in world football. Superb from Nacho.
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