Real Madrid advanced 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 second-leg draw against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, barely making it into the Champions League quarterfinals.
Despite being far from their best, the record 14-time champions managed to defeat their Bundesliga club in the two legs of the match.
Jude Bellingham did an excellent task in setting up Vinicius Junior for the game’s first goal in the 65th minute, even though Leipzig had played well. The visitors’ goal was quickly equalized by Willi Orban, but they were unable to score another to send the match to extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s coach, stated that his team suffered and did not mentally prepare for the game.
Ancelotti reminded his players before the match that they needed to be at their best to advance, and he showed his cautious side by starting four midfielders behind Bellingham and Vinicius.
The Madrid manager brought Aurelien Tchouameni forward into defensive midfield, with Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos, in an attempt to defend the 1-0 first-leg lead. But Ancelotti’s strategy stunted Madrid’s attacking game without completely stifling Leipzig’s.
