Ancelotti: 'Real upstream is better than I expected'
"We suffered a lot in the first few minutes. Fortunately, as always, the players have a cool head," coach Ancelotti said after the win over Liverpool on the evening of February 21. "In attack we were very efficient. We created problems for Liverpool when we got out of pressure. We also improved our defence. In the second half we started better. Vinicius, Rodrygo and Benzema played very well."
In the match on the evening of February 21 in the first leg of the 1/8 Champions League round, Liverpool led 2-0 after only the first 14 minutes. After Darwin Nunez hit his heel to open the scoring, Mohamed Salah took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to double the lead. However, Real immediately responded with five goals. After cutting the right foot to shorten the score to 1-2 in the 21st minute, Vinicius pressured goalkeeper Alisson to make a mistake leading to a 2-2 equalizer in the 36th minute.
In the second half, Real continued to dominate. After Eder Militao's header made it 3-2 in the 47th minute, Liverpool played like a broken match. Real got two more goals thanks to Benzema in the 55th and 67th minutes.
"When Liverpool led 2-0, I briefly thought about the game against Man City last season," Ancelotti recalled. "I wish the same thing could happen and the same thing happened, even better."
In the semi-final first leg last season, Man City led 2-0 after the first 11 minutes. However, Real then only lost 3-4. Benzema scored twice, while Vinicius scored one for the Spanish team. In the second leg, Real won 3-1.
In last season's final, it was Vinicius who scored the only goal against Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian striker has 18 goals in 35 games in the 2022-2023 season, about to catch up with 22 goals last season. "Vinicius played an unbelievable game." Ancelotti praised. "He is the best match decider in the world right now. Hopefully he can continue to be like that."
On March 15, Real will take on Liverpool in the second leg. The Spanish team has the right to lose by no more than two goals. However, Ancelotti remains wary. "This match is not over yet," said the 63-year-old coach. "Liverpool pressed a lot in the first half. We have to be pleased that the game went well and look forward to the next one."
The victory over Liverpool 5-2 is Real's most impressive result after the 2022 World Cup break. On January 15, Real lost the Spanish Super Cup when losing 1-3 to Barca in the final. They are also eight points behind Barca after 22 rounds of La Liga 2022-2023.
