Madrid makes hard work of Leipzig test
MADRID — Real Madrid scraped through into the Champions League quarterfinals with a 1-1 second-leg draw against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
The record 14-time champion was far below its best but did just enough over the two legs of the last16 clash to edge out its Bundesliga opponent.
Despite Leipzig shading the game, Vinicius Junior opened the scoring in the 65th minute after being set up well by Jude Bellingham.
Willi Orban quickly equalized for the visitor but it could not find a second goal to force extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team suffered and did not approach the game well mentally.
“We played badly, with little intensity, with worries ... the psychological aspect conditioned our game a lot,” Ancelotti told 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 quarterfinals.”
Ancelotti warned his players before the game they needed to be at their best to progress and showed his cautious side by playing four midfielders behind Bellingham and Vinicius.
The Italian moved Aurelien Tchouameni forward into defensive midfield, also deploying Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos, as he looked to protect the 1-0 first-leg lead.
However, Ancelotti’s game plan stunted Madrid’s own attacking game without completely stifling Leipzig’s.
“It was not our best day, but we have to be happy because the objective is complete,” Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez told 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 side had the better of the first half, albeit without carving out clear-cut chances until just before the break.
Andriy Lunin palmed away a strike from Xavi Simons, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, while Lois Openda rifled a shot into the side netting. Ancelotti shifted back to a more typical setup for the second half, introducing Rodrygo at halftime for Camavinga.
It opened up the game at both ends and Vinicius began to have more influence after a quiet first half — albeit not always for good. The Brazilian was booked for barging Orban in the back and then shoving the Leipzig captain.
‘So tough’
Vinicius’ frustration quickly turned to joy though when Bellingham burst forward, showing superb timing to release the forward, who fired into the top corner at the end of a smart counterattack.
Kroos started the break and despite being outnumbered, Bellingham and Vinicius showed their decisive quality to send the host ahead.
Madrid’s delight was short-lived however, with Orban leveling just three minutes later.
The Hungarian defender’s excellent diving header from David Raum’s cross set up a gripping denouement.
Madrid striker Joselu, on as a substitute, sent a tame effort at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi before Dani Olmo hit the woodwork.
The former Barcelona youth player’s lob dropped onto the crossbar and out of play as thousands of Madrid fans held their breath.
Europe’s most crowned side was taken to the wire on a nervy night by Marco Rose’s side, only founded in 2009, but steeled itself 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 told DAZN.
“We played so well and it’s so tough that we’re out.”