The term used to describe the kind of stifling defense long practiced by Italian teams where 1-0 wins at home and 0-0 draws away were the norm has no negative connotations for Ancelotti.

For Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, catenaccio is a beautiful word.

The term used to describe the kind of stifling defense long practiced by Italian teams where 1-0 wins at home and 0-0 draws away were the norm has no negative connotations for Ancelotti.

Catenaccio is not a "bad word," Ancelotti said, and the system has been good to Italy.

Ancelotti was speaking on the eve of Real Madrid's return leg at Bayern Munich of their Champions League semifinal tie.

Real takes a 1-0 lead from the home leg. Bayern dominated possession, especially in the first half, but Real struck on the counterattack and could have scored more goals.

Asked if Madrid might use a catanaccio system to frustrate Bayern, Ancelotti smiled and said that sometimes is was useful.