Real Madrid recorded a comfortable 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday evening in the return of the eighth final of the Champions League. After the 2-5 victory at Anfield, qualification for the quarter-finals in their own Santiago Bernabéu was never in danger. Analyst Youri Mulder watched the game Ziggo Sport and finds the Royal the top favorite for the overall victory of the billion dollar ball.
“What a team that is!” Mulder is very enthusiastic in conversation with presenter Wytse van der Goot. “It’s so well put together. Ancelotti doesn’t even have to do a tactical discussion before the game. Those guys know how to play with each other so well. Whether Valverde is in it, Rodrygo, or whoever… On the midfield Camavinga, Tchouaméni… They can fill it in like this. Carvajal great, Nacho (Fernández, ed.) Played a very good game. Yes, just say it. I think Real Madrid is the big favorite for the Champions League. ”
Karim Benzema shoots the first of the evening against the ropes! Vinicius Jr. can just tap the ball to the Frenchman, who can then easily score. #UCL #RMALIV pic.twitter.com/PZFp5HPi6F
— VTBL ? (@vtbl) March 15, 2023
Liverpool tried to hurt Real in the first half in particular. However, shots from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, among others, did not disturb Thibaut Courtois. In the second half, the belief in a stunt ebbed away from the English and Real took control. Vinícius Júnior missed from close range and under pressure from Virgil van Dijk, but Karim Benzema hit the ball when the ball came at his feet. The striker walked away cheering, although it soon became clear that he had been injured. Benzema underwent brief treatment and was substituted as a precaution, although it is unclear how fit he is ahead of Sunday’s away game against Barcelona.
Ancelotti do ???????? ???????? to do to his team ???????? Is this Real Madrid the biggest contender to win the cup with the big ears?#ZiggoSport #UCL #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/XNzjAQYh0M
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2023
On Friday it will become clear to which club the Madrilenians will be linked in the quarterfinals. The balls will be drawn that day in Nyon, Switzerland, where the UEFA headquarters is located. Possible opponents for Real are Benfica, Internazionale, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, AC Milan, Manchester City and Napoli. The latter team, just like Real, joined the last eight on Wednesday evening, after a resounding 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.