Real Madrid scraped by means of into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-1 second-leg draw in opposition to RB Leipzig on Wednesday, progressing 2-1 on mixture.
The file 14-time champions had been far beneath their finest however did simply sufficient over the 2 legs of the last-16 conflict to edge out their Bundesliga opponents.
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Despite Leipzig shading the sport, Vinicius Junior opened the scoring within the sixty fifth minute after being arrange nicely by Jude Bellingham.
Willi Orban rapidly levelled for the guests however they may not discover a second aim to drive extra-time on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated his group suffered and didn’t method the sport nicely mentally.
“We played badly, with little intensity, with worries … the psychological aspect conditioned our game a lot,” Ancelotti informed Movistar.
“We played against an opponent with quality, who had nothing to lose, and we had the brakes on from start to finish — we suffered, but the important thing was to get to the quarter-finals.”
Ancelotti warned his gamers earlier than the sport they wanted to be at their finest to progress and confirmed his cautious facet by enjoying 4 midfielders behind Bellingham and Vinicius.
The Italian introduced Aurelien Tchouameni ahead into defensive midfield, additionally deploying Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos, as he regarded to guard the 1-0 first-leg lead.
However Ancelotti’s gameplan stunted Madrid’s personal attacking sport with out fully stifling Leipzig’s.
“It was not our best day, but we have to be happy because the objective is complete,” Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez informed Movistar.
“When things don’t go as you want, you have to battle, to fight, to play games like today’s that make you grow and learn.”
The German facet had the higher of the primary half, albeit with out carving out clear probabilities till simply earlier than the break.
Andriy Lunin palmed away a strike from Xavi Simons, on mortgage from Paris Saint-Germain, whereas Lois Openda rifled a shot into the facet netting.
Ancelotti shifted again to a extra typical set-up for the second half, introducing Rodrygo at half-time for Camavinga.
It opened up the sport at each ends and Vinicius started to have extra affect after a quiet first half — albeit not all the time for good. The Brazilian was booked for barging Orban within the again after which shoving the Leipzig captain.
‘So tough’
Vinicius’ frustration rapidly turned to pleasure although when Bellingham burst ahead, exhibiting very good timing to launch the ahead, who fired into the highest nook on the finish of a sensible counter-attack.
Toni Kroos began the break and regardless of being outnumbered, Bellingham and Vinicius confirmed their decisive high quality to ship the hosts forward.
Madrid’s delight was short-lived although, with Orban levelling simply three minutes later.
The Hungarian defender’s wonderful diving header from David Raum’s cross arrange a gripping denouement.
Madrid striker Joselu, on instead, despatched a tame effort at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi earlier than Dani Olmo hit the woodwork.
The former Barcelona youth participant’s lob dropped on to the crossbar and out of play as hundreds of Madrid followers held their breath.
Europe’s most topped facet had been taken to the wire on a nervy night time by Marco Rose’s facet, solely based in 2009, however steeled themselves and held on to progress.
“If you add the 180 minutes up, we clearly had the better chances -– I don’t know how they scored today,” Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs informed DAZN.
“We played so well and it’s so tough that we’re out.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Source: www.news18.com
