Ancelotti insists Real Madrid tie with Liverpool not over despite 5-2 win

beat

5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 round at Anfield on Tuesday.

After the game,

said their experience helped them to come back from being 2-0 down inside 14 minutes.

“It started terribly for us, fortunately we did not lose our heads, we gradually took control of the game and sorted out the defensive issues. Even earlier we could see that we were dangerous in attack, but Liverpool were hurting us down the left, so we had to sort that out,”

Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia.

Karim Benzema who was voted the best player of the Champions League last season managed to score twice in the second half. Ancelotti believes Benzema's experience helped the younger players on the team.

“It was certainly a match that motivated him, we rested him at the weekend to be ready for this and these are tournaments for players like Modric, Kroos and Karim, where experience makes the difference. When you are 2-0 down, the experience of these players is fundamental to help the younger elements stay concentrated.”

Vinicius Junior also scored twice in the first half, and Ancelotti said he is the most decisive player in the world.

“Right now, I think he is the most decisive player in the world. Everything he does is a dribble away from a defender, an assist or a goal, and he does it for the full 90 minutes. He just never stops.”

Ancelotti also insisted that the tie with Liverpool is not over and Real Madrid is not through to the Champions League quarterfinals.

“For Real Madrid, and it has always been like this, the Champions League is the most important competition for the club, so that is felt in the preparation for these games.

“It is certainly not over yet, we have done well in the first part of the tie, but the second is still to be played and anything can happen.”

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