Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has sung the praises of Real Madrid trainer Carlo Ancelotti.

Sacchi has paid tribute to Ancelotti after Real reached the Champions League semifinals after stunning Manchester City.

He wrote for La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Ancelotti is such a good coach and so convincing that he managed to get the Spanish public – particularly demanding when it comes to entertainment – to accept a largely defensive performance.

“I don't know if he is the best coach in the world, but he's certainly up there. He knows everything about football, managing with experience and wisdom, never letting himself be found unprepared.

“He knew that it was not possible to fight it out openly with Manchester City, especially because he had so many absentees in defence, so he focused on containment. It's not his usual approach, as he loves to dominate the field, but he did it with dignity and showing notable intelligence.

“Carletto studied the opponents, designed how to block or at least limit their strengths, and was not just trying to defend in the hope that someone upfront would resolve the problem for him.

“Ancelotti decided what to do based on the resources at his disposal, and that too is a quality that too few coaches possess."