Every word Carlo Ancelotti said after Real Madrid’s Champions League comeback win against Liverpool

An incredible game of soccer saw Real Madrid come from two goals down to defeat Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield in the Champions League round of 16 first leg, meaning Carlo Ancelotti’s side are firmly in the driving seat ahead of the second leg in three weeks’ time. The Italian gave this thoughts on his team’s victory in Merseyside, first speaking to Spanish broadcaster Movistar Liga de Campeones immediately after the game.

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in a flash interview after Real Madrid’s victory over Liverpool?

It’s not easy to get a result like that at Anfield: “It’s not easy, especially with how the match started. We lost confidence but gradually took control of the ball and were always very effective in attack. Vinicius had an incredible game. The first leg of this tie has gone well. We have to remember that in the return leg we’ll have to suffer and fight like we did today.”

What did you think you went 2-0 down? “I thought a bit about Manchester City. I wished that the same thing would happen and it did. In fact, it was even better. The team didn’t lose their heads. We improved defensively. They hurt us down our left because Henderson was getting in there a lot. We controlled the second half better by putting Valverde on the left”.

You said in the build-up that you were doubting about whether to start with Valverde or Rodrygo. They both played: “Rodrygo did a fantastic job, he did an extraordinary job of getting up and down. When you play against such a dangerous forward line, you need a little more help.”

Is the tie over? “No, because Liverpool suffered in the second half, but we suffered in the first half. They pushed a lot in the first half. We have to be satisfied because it was a good game and look forward to the next match.”

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in his post-match press conference after Real Madrid’s win against Liverpool?

A few minutes later, Madrid boss Ancelotti took part in an official post-match press conference, where he expanded on a number of things he had been asked about in the immediate aftermath of the comeback victory.

Overall thoughts: “We really suffered at the beginning. We didn’t expect to start like that. Luckily, as is always the case, the players kept cool heads. We were very effective up front and we created problems when we managed to avoid Liverpool’s pressing. We improved defensively. In the second half, the team made the difference. We played the ball out from the back better and Vinicius, Rodrygo and Karim were very efficient”.

Did you expect the match to play out like that? “Not really, no. I tried to put out a line-up that would ensure it would be different game to the final (last year). It’s a knockout tie. Scoring here could be important and I went for an adventurous forward line. Rodrygo did a fantastic job defensively. We were hoping for an open game”.

Are Madrid through? “We have taken the lead in the tie but we have to handle the second game well. Liverpool are very competitive and created a lot of problems for us at the start. It’s going to be difficult for us. It’s not over yet”.

Is this your most spectacular win away from home? “To win here in such a convincing manner is tough. We are satisfied with what we showed. After a difficult January, we are doing well. Now we have to be at our best. We are satisfied and we are confident of doing well”.

Nacho’s performance: “We had problems down our left in the first half. I told Luka (Modric) to put more pressure on Fabinho. In the second half we put Valverde there. Nacho always delivers. He has a footballing intelligence like few others”.

Vinícius: “He is the most decisive player in world football. There is no other player who keeps going like he goes. I hope he can continue playing like that”.

Going 2-0 down: “I remembered the 2-0 (against City). I was hoping the same thing could happen again and it went even better. We couldn’t have imagined a start like that and that’s when we said we had to suffer. We kept cool heads and kept control. The veterans help a lot. Modric, Benzema...”.

How do you approach a match like this?: “I understand the quality they have. Bearing in mind that you have to prepare your team and have a pretty clear strategy”.

The difference with last year’s Liverpool: “They are a great team. They play with a lot of intensity, it’s very difficult to find another team like them in Europe. Our strategy was different. We played a different game to last year’s final”.

Modric’s performance: “He was he same Modric as always. He was tenacious, he never stopped, he was confident. He was the key to getting out of their pressing”.