Ancelotti ‘exhausted’ after Real Madrid’s penalty win: ‘We care a lot about Champions League’ | OneFootball

Carlo Ancelotti feels ‘exhausted’ after watching his side win on penalties against city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, praising his players for staying ‘calm’ despite not delivering ‘our best performance’.

Real Madrid triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout at the end of a tense second leg, where Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory forced extra time after their 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu a week earlier.

Costly misses from Atlético’s Julian Alvarez and Marcos Llorente proved decisive in the shootout, with Antonio Rüdiger holding his nerve to convert the final spot-kick and seal Los Blancos’ place in the quarter-finals, where they will meet Arsenal.

BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, leaves the field at half-time during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ancelotti: Champions League quarter-finals ‘crucial’ for ‘exhausted’ Real Madrid

“It was a tough, difficult match, and we made it even harder for ourselves right from the first minute,” Ancelotti told Amazon Prime Video after the match.

“Their goal changed the game: they defend very well and look to exploit counterattacks, while we struggled in attack. But despite all the difficulties, we managed to take it to penalties and win.

“These are tough matches, but we’re used to them. We care a lot about this competition, and reaching the quarter-finals was crucial for us, especially against a very difficult opponent like Atletico.

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 04: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is challenged by Pablo Barrios of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Atletico de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on March 04, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“We’re exhausted but happy.

“It was incredibly tough; it’s a demanding season with too many games, and we’re all feeling the strain.

“We were never really out of this tie. It wasn’t our best performance, but the important thing is that we stayed calm. The key was avoiding their counterattacks because that’s their main weapon.”