Real Madrid started the new Champions League season in the best fashion and a huge merit for this goes to the Boss as always. The Italian once again organized the team in the right way and used his men in the best way possible to extend the wining strike that Madrid has built up since the beginning of the season. This time it was Celtic that had to surrender to a team led by Kroos and Hazard with the latter coming in the right moment to replace the injured Benzema and to leave a clear message for everyone who is waiting for the Real Eden to get back.
Carlo Ancelotti appeared in the press room at Celtic Park to discuss this important victory in their opening Champions League game and expressed his happiness for the team’s performance, especially in the 2nd haldf. He said: "The team played very well in the second half and I'm extremely satisfied. To be honest, the second half was an exhibition. We're leaving with a clean sheet but I'll take away how we played all round in the second half. We kept possession well and when we got some space, we used it brilliantly".
"We struggled but I can't be angry with the team. You're bound to struggle a bit here and we did in the first half because you have to dig in against this team. You have to do that at times and this team is capable of doing so without losing their heads. Celtic are a great team. There is a fantastic atmosphere in this stadium and it's an amazing experience to play here", the coach continued.
Benzema's problems: “It doesn't seem to serious. We'll wait for tomorrow but early signs imply it's nothing to worry about. We have to wait until tomorrow. It's unclear whether it's a muscle issue or if it's his knee".
Hazard: “You can see that he's motivated in training and he's doing well. It was far from easy for him to come on after the substitution and he struggled in the first half, but in the second half, he made all the difference because he provided the assist for our second goal and got our third. He's an important player for us and he now just has to keep it up.”
“He's not able to operate as an old-fashioned forward, but he's capable of making runs and helping out in possession. He will never pin the opposition defenders, but the fact that he makes good runs helps us when playing out from the back and it also means that the opposition defenders don't have a player who’s the focal point to mark.”
Militão substitution: “He had a muscle overload in his hamstring and I preferred to avoid taking any risks, despite the fact that he was keen to carry on and also because Rüdiger is very reliable.”
Tchouameni: “He put in a good performance. Kroos played in a deeper role to dominate possession and he was able to push forward a little bit more. Those are systems that take some time, but he put in a fine performance. He controlled the middle third well alongside Modrić and Kroos”.
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