MICAH'S MAN OF THE WEEK

AS MUCH as Manchester City’s defeat by Real Madrid hurt, I have to give recognition to Carlo Ancelotti. He is a class act, a serial winner and the ability to stay calm in highpressured situations has led him to have a career that is to be envied and admired. What a seven days it has been for the Italian, winning La Liga to complete the set of the big five league titles in Europe — England, Italy, Germany, France and Spain — before masterminding the Champions League semi-final second-leg comeback against City. Ancelotti has always had the knack of making the right call at the right time and his decision to introduce Eduardo Camavinga — what a player he is going to be, by the way — and Rodrygo changed the balance of the contest. All his substitutions, even in extra time, helped Real establish control. I don’t want Madrid to go on and lift the trophy in Paris — I hope that honour falls to Mohamed Salah and Liverpool — but I couldn’t write my column this week without expressing my respect for Ancelotti (right), a man who continues to excel.