CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
What Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Lampard had to say after Real Madrid’s 0-2 Champions League quarter-final win over Chelsea
The Italian spoke about the injuries to Alaba and Benzema; Lampard complained about Militão avoiding a red card.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side swept Frank Lampard’s impotent Chelsea aside as Rodrygo put two past The Blues in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, doubling their aggregate score and sending Real Madrid through to their 11th semi-final in 13 seasons. After the game, the two managers sat down in front of the press to answer questions, both, understandably, with very different facial expressions and tones.
It was a game in which you suffered... We knew we were going to suffer in this type of game. They created chances against us in the first half down our left side, but we fixed it later. It was a complete game. We played at a good level, we were solid at the back. It was a deserved win in the tie, and we are very happy.
Courtois’ save [against Cucurella] was key: It was important, they could have gone ahead and caused us to worry. We got better in the second half and had more room to counter-attack.
You were seen talking to Rodrygo right before he scored: It was a defensive problem. They risked a lot at the back and were playing three against three.
It’s a shame that Militão will miss the second leg: It’s a cause for concern, because playing with ten men is hard, but he had a spectacular game. We won’t have him for the first leg, but hopefully we get Alaba back.
What is wrong with Alaba?: He has an overload in his hamstring and wasn’t able to continue. Karim had a problem that was annoying him at the end of the game and that’s why he was taken off. He was stood on on his foot and it started to hurt him towards the end of the game. When we scored we only needed to defend.
What do you think about potentially facing Milan in a final? We are thinking about ourselves. I’m happy for Milan because they are in a semi-final after such a long time. But I’m also sad for Napoli as I like them too.
It feels like you needed this victory... We are very happy to play another semi-final and our goal is to get to the final. It was tough, as we imagined, because the opponents gave everything. They played very well in the first half and caused us problems, Courtois stopped them from drawing level. We were better in the second half.
How do you feel? The team is good in this moment. To get to another semi-final is spectacular and winning the 15th... imagine that! We are very happy. It’s an honour.
With this win you will overtake Alex Ferguson in the manager with the most games in the Champions League when you get to the semi-final. It’s an honour for me. Ferguson was a fantastic coach and a fantastic person. I am honoured and happy about that.
Have you spoken to Rodrygo? I said to him that we needed to change some things in defence because we were suffering. Nothing else. Rodrygo has played better in other games, but with an extraordinary effectiveness. And scoring, making the difference. In this club we are lucky enough to have such good young players, who have energy and quality. It makes us confident for the future.
Courtois was amazing... The save at the end of the first half was key, because it changed the dynamic of everything. Finishing the first half 0-0 was important, because we knew Chelsea would not be able to keep up the intensity of the first half in the second. They kept us going and then we won.
What are the strongest aspects of the squad? We make the different in terms of defensive committment. We have quality there, in the collective commitment. After conceding two goals in ten minutes at Anfield, we have corrected things.
What would you point out in terms of Chelsea? We suffered from Kanté's pressing, because Camavinga should mark Reece James and that left spaces. But I spoke to Valverde about it so he could close the gap, as in the first half Modric had to stay with Enzo.
After Carlo Ancelotti, it was Frank Lampard’s turn to take to the microphone...
Can you explain the lineup? I think for 60 minutes you can see why I picked the lineup. The only thing missing was a goal. One goal or two changes the face of the game and at this level when you’re not clinical you see what happens.
What do Chelsea do now to pick themselves up? We have to. Many clubs dream of our success, we’re in transition. There are obviously bases that we want to improve and the level of the game tonight shows that. We have seven games in the Premier League to show that. Scoring is crucial and it’s something we need to address.
How do you judge the refereeing? Two minutes at the end wasn’t enough for me. Militão was a second yellow card. I won’t say what I really think. That tackle in the attacking third is a second yellow card, which means a red, which means we would be a man up.
How do you raise spirits now? I’ve been asked that in every interview and the motivation has to be playing for Chelsea. There’s individual motivation and collective. We have to be competitive every single day. I picked a team in terms of form and fitness, and they showed they can compete.
