Real Madrid hold psychological advantage over Liverpool as they clash today
Real Madrid not only hold a three-goal advantage over Liverpool after the first leg, but they hold a psychological advantage over the Reds, having won six of their last seven UEFA Champions League meetings against them.
But one positive for Liverpool is that they have won at Real Madrid before. They are one of only four English teams to win away at the Spanish giants in European competition, along with Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. Real Madrid have progressed from 26 of their previous 27 European Cup/Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg away from home, with the exception being defeat to Ajax at this stage in 2018-19 (2-1 away, 1-4 at home), so they’ll be looking to celebrate their 300th match in the UEFA Champions League with another progression in this tie. Liverpool can gain some confidence that they have achieved the seemingly impossible task of overcoming a three-goal first leg deficit in the UCL before. They are one only four sides to progress from a UCL tie having lost the first leg by three or more goals, beating Real’s rivals Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg of their semi-final tie at Anfield after losing the first leg 3-0 away.
Perhaps treading with caution given what happened to their Catalonian counterparts four years ago, Real Madrid can rest easy in the knowledge that Klopp’s current Liverpool crop do not strike the same fear into the hearts of opposing teams, especially with their measly away record in 2023.
Ancelotti’s side cannot expect to keep a vengeful Reds team at bay, especially given their own patchy spell, but Los Blancos in the Champions League is normally always a foregone conclusion, and the return of Benzema should only make their second-leg win all the more emphatic en route to a place in the last eight. Name a better combination than Karim Benzema and the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The French striker comes alive when it matters most and is the master at magicking moments out of nothing.
Credit: theanalyst.com
Napoli to secure quarter-finals spot as they host Frankfurt
Still reigning supreme in Italy, Serie A leaders Napoli aim to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, when they host Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Maradona.
Following a 2-0 win in Germany, the Scudetto favourites start the second leg of their last-16 tie in the driving seat, but their visitors can draw upon last year’s Europa League heroics for inspiration.
Napoli’s two-goal victory in Frankfurt was not only their first ever victory over Eintracht, following two previous losses, but also leaves them on the verge of reaching the Champions League’s last eight for the very first time.
Strikes either side of the break, from star striker Victor Osimhen and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, secured the Partenopei a significant advantage against opposition reduced to 10 men when Randal Kolo Muani was sent off in the 58th minute.
Having now racked up 22 goals in the competition this season, Napoli return to home soil, where they are unbeaten in their last 11 Champions League home games, winning all three so far this term and scoring at least three goals each time.
With domestic glory apparently in hand, Napoli’s gaze is now set on breaking new ground in Europe, and having blitzed their way through the group stage before winning their first knockout fixture, Spalletti may fancy his team can not only finish the job on Wednesday but also go all the way to Istanbul.
Eintracht now face one of their sternest tests of the season. Napoli’s record at Stadio Maradona is truly formidable, and the home side can seal a place in the quarter-final draw, even without reaching top gear.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
‘We don’t talk, he won’t make me play’ …Hazard reveals his relationship with Ancelotti has broken down
Eden Hazard has revealed his relationship with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has completely broken down and they are no longer on speaking terms, having gone over two months without playing for the European champions.
The former Chelsea star has only featured for 296 minutes in all competitions this season, contributing a single goal and assist.
Hazard’s last appearance for Real Madrid came in the Copa del Rey against fourth tier side CP Cacereno.
Despite being put on the periphery of the squad, Hazard recently announced he has no intention of leaving the club this summer and wants to see out the final year of his contract – worth £470,000 per week.
The 32-year-old has now admitted to Belgian outlet RTBF that he does not speak to head coach Ancelotti amid his absence from the team.
‘There is respect between us,’ Hazard said. ‘But I’m not going to say that we talk to each other, because we don’t talk to each other.
‘But there will always be respect. Even if tomorrow, he doesn’t make me play anymore.
‘I have to have respect for a guy like Carlo Ancelotti. What he represents for football, what he has done in his career, there is no problem.’
When asked about Hazard’s comments ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Liverpool, Ancelotti admitted the Belgian’s comments were accurate.
Ancelotti claimed the relationship was ‘not cold’ despite the pair not speaking much, stressing that both parties were still respectful of each other.
‘Hazard has been very honest, we don’t talk much because it could be a matter of character,’ Ancelotti said.
‘The most important thing for me, that if we don’t talk much, he follows me respecting.
‘It’s the most important thing, just like I respect him.
‘He doesn’t play because he has a lot of competition and a player in his position who is playing very well, which is Vinicius.’
Hazard moved to the Spanish giants in 2019 for an initial £88.3m.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
