Ajit Karn
Carlo Ancelotti stated on Tuesday that Real Madrid will go on the offensive against Liverpool this week as opposed to attempting to defend their advantage from the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. In February, defending champions Madrid defeated Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield, with Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior, and Eder Militao all scoring twice after the hosts had taken a 2-0 lead. Ancelotti stated that despite their three-goal advantage, his team must win Wednesday’s match against the visitors at Santiago Bernabeu in order to advance to the quarterfinals.
Ancelotti told reporters, “It’s quite straightforward, we don’t need to make any calculations; instead, we should strive to play as well as possible, as we did in the first leg.”
“Our ideal is not to make calculations; rather, we must perform with maximal intensity and optimism in an effort to win the game.”
The Italian coach anticipates a wide-open contest, as Liverpool must mount a massive revival and his team will not lay back and defend.
Ancelotti stated, “We analysed what we did in the first leg and found that we did many things well, especially in attack.”
“We won’t play a game considering our advantage; instead, we’ll play our attacking football.
“Tomorrow’s game will be wide open, as Liverpool will attempt to alter the tie’s dynamic; therefore, we must play both defence and offence well.”
Madrid striker Karim Benzema missed Saturday’s La Liga victory over Espanyol due to an ankle injury but is now healthy.
“Yes, tomorrow he’ll be at 100 percent, he trained on Sunday, he’s had excellent sessions, he’s at his best, and he’s motivated,” said Ancelotti. “For Karim and the club, this is a very significant competition.”
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Antonio Rudiger, a defender for Real Madrid, stated that the squad must defend better than at Anfield, where Liverpool scored two early goals via Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
#NSTsports Real Madrid will go on the attack against Liverpool this week instead of trying to protect their #ChampionsLeague last 16 first leg advantage, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.https://t.co/9f5wIyfTPG
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) March 14, 2023
Rudiger told reporters that he believes avoiding slumber in the first 15 minutes is crucial, as is achieving a balance.
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“This is extremely essential for us, not only to come in and defend and say, ‘OK, we have a three-goal lead,’ but also to please our supporters and build our confidence.”
