MADRID: Real Madrid progressed 2-1 on aggregate with a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The record 14-time champions have been well below their best but have done just enough to beat their Bundesliga rivals in two of their last 16 matches.
Despite Leipzig overshadowing 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 visitors, but they could not find a second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu to force extra time.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team suffered and did not approach the game well mentally.
“We played badly, with little intensity, with concerns… the psychological aspect conditioned our game a lot,” Ancelotti told Movistar.
“We played against a quality opponent 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 quarter-finals.”
Ancelotti warned his players before the game that they must be at their best to progress and showed his cautious side by playing four midfielders behind Bellingham and Vinicius.
The Italian brought Aurelien Tchouameni forward in defensive midfield, also fielding Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos as they looked to preserve a 1-0 first-leg lead.
However, Ancelotti’s game plan hampered Madrid’s own attacking play without completely stifling Leipzig’s play.
“It wasn’t our best day, but we have to be happy because the goal is achieved,” Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez told Movistar.
“When things don’t go your way, you have to fight, fight, play games like today to grow and learn.”
The German side had the better of the first half, although they did not create clear chances just before the break.
Andriy Lunin palmed away a shot from Xavi Simons, who was on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, while Lois Openda fired into the side netting.
Ancelotti reverted to a more typical setup in the second half, introducing Rodrygo at half-time for Camavinga.
That opened up the game at both ends and Vinicius started to make more of an impact after a quiet first half – although not always for the better. The Brazilian was penalized for shoving Orban in the back and then shoving the Leipzig captain.
‘SO HARD’
But Vinicius’ frustration quickly turned to joy as Bellingham surged forward and showed superb timing to release the striker, who fired into the top corner at the end of a clever counter-attack.
Toni Kroos opened the break and despite being outnumbered, Bellingham and Vinicius showed their decisive quality to send the hosts ahead.
However, Madrid’s joy was short-lived as Orban equalized just three minutes later.
Hungarian defender David Raum’s excellent flowing header from David Raum’s center set up a thrilling denouement.
Substitute Madrid striker Joselu sent a tame effort past Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi before Dani Olmo hit the woodwork.
The former Barcelona youngster’s lob hit the crossbar and was offside as thousands of Madrid fans held their breath.
Having only been established in 2009, Europe’s most-crowned side were taken on a nervy night by Marco Rose, but they steeled themselves and held on for promotion.
“When you add up the 180 minutes, we clearly had more chances – I don’t know how they scored today,” Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs told DAZN.
“We played so well and it’s so hard to be out.
