Real Madrid could be three goals down going into their second leg against Man City and still fancy themselves against this Pep Guardiola side, writes JACK GAUGHAN

Not many have the gravitas required to pull into line Real Madrid’s front four, with their almost obnoxious self-belief and quality, but inside the dressing room at the weekend, Carlo Ancelotti put a few in their place.

Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were told, in no uncertain terms, that they were not running enough during the Madrid derby, one Real were losing in a game that could prove critical in the La Liga title race.

It’s been a theme of Real’s season that, while scoring 59 goals through the campaign until last night, a disconnect has existed between those up front and the rest.

The old Galactico problem that blighted this grand old club for so many years, before they decided to get serious, and Ancelotti’s job now is to make sure Mbappe’s summer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t set them back to days of players over team.

They nudged themselves back into the derby – Mbappe scoring – yet the jury still deliberates on the wider point of whether this works with such ability all wanting spotlight in a very specific area of the pitch. 

Watching an exasperated Ancelotti barrack Mbappe and Vinicius for not tracking back as Manchester City built from defence in this absorbing first leg speaks to that.

Man City must pounce on the disconnect between Real’s midfield and attacking units

Pep Guardiola’s side have been thumped before at the Bernabeu and are fighting with one arm behind their back now that they are a goal down in the tie

His complaints were heeded to a degree, the pair breaking into a gentle trot, but it will be fascinating whether the king of cool, the emperor of the Champions League, will need to continue reminding them.

Real let City gain territorial advantage before half time by not pressing as a unit, on a night they threatened to completely dominate, but still frightened the life out of their hosts.

Vinicius in particular has taken on this role as pantomime villain, one enhanced at the Etihad after the childish response to the Ballon d’Or recipient.

Jeered with each touch, ironically cheered with each misplaced pass. When Bernardo Silva picked his pocket, when Nathan Ake nicked in with the Brazilian clean through.

They only boo if you’re good, of course, and the way in which his dancing feet hypnotised Manuel Akanji before striking the bar from a standing start – in similar fashion to that Ronaldinho moment at Stamford Bridge all those years ago – served to show that irrespective of the result City came away with at home, next week is going to be one, long examination.

One, two, even three goals behind and Real would fancy themselves at the Bernabeu. City have been eaten alive there before and how Ancelotti’s four stretched this game spells definite danger for Pep Guardiola in the Spanish capital.

But for occasional wastefulness, heroic goalkeeping and some seriously brave blocks, notably from Ake, Real would actually be boarding their flight home with a lead bordering unassailable.

How Guardiola attempts to combat all this next Wednesday is the key to the play-off, yet to do so while also having a one-goal handicap feels improbable and plays into Real’s hands.