Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was happy with how his game found a way to win in their 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Bernabeu in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.
Rodrygo had opened the score for the hosts, although a beauty of Julian Alvarez had canceled that before Brahim Diaz won.
But while Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe missed both chances to give their side a bigger victory margin, Ancelotti wanted to concentrate on the positives.
“These are even matches. It is a round of 16 in the Champions League, because it could be a final or a semi -final. Atletico is a top team in Europe and you can't think about making the draw in the first stage,” he said a press conference.
“We have received a small advantage that gives us confidence for the second stage, but it is it. It was a difficult match … as usual. It is always against Athleti.
“In the first half we lost too many balls, we had unnecessary mistakes that almost cost us, they brought the game with Julian Alvarez. But in the second half we were better. We could take advantage and we did it.”
300 – Excluding qualifications, Real Madrid has achieved their 300th European Cup/Champions League victory (G498 D85 L113), at least 63 more than any other team in the history of the competition (Bayern Munich, 237 victories in 398 competitions). Celebration. pic.twitter.com/33teuzx8wm
– Optajose (@Optajose) March 4, 2025
Ancelotti also trivialized heavy nights for both Vinicius and Mbappe, suggesting that they were well manipulated by the defense of Atletico instead of something else.
“I think playing against the defense of Atletico is not that easy a task,” he said. “We didn't have many opportunities during the competition and they worked hard, they fought hard …
“They didn't have the chance to show the quality that we all know they have, but they have the return bone to do it.”
The winners of the draw are sure to meet Arsenal in the next round, after their 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the first stage on Tuesday.
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