UCL: Real Madrid survives Leipzig scare as they seal a place in the quarter-final
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Real Madrid survives Leipzig scare || Imago

UCL: Real Madrid survives Leipzig scare as they seal a place in the quarter-final

Stephen Oladehinde 23:06 - 06.03.2024

Real Madrid were able to see off Leipzig in the round of 16 as they qualify for the next round via goal aggregate.

The first leg of the tie ended in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid in Germany and Leipzig needed to get two goals in Spain to qualify.

However, they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu which secured the quarter-final spot for Ancelotti’s men. 

As it happened 

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to go for more solidity as Spain defender Nacho starts in place of Brazil forward Rodrygo which comes as the only change from their 2-2 draw against rivals Valencia on Sunday.

The visitors RB Leipzig made two changes as they aim to overturn their first-leg deficit. Belgium striker Loïs Openda led the line after coming off the bench in Saturday's Bundesliga win at Bochum, while defensive midfielder Xaver Schlager returned after serving a domestic suspension.

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Both teams started the game brightly and created few chances in the first 10 minutes of the start of the game.

The intensity of the game later dropped as the game continued but Leipzig remained the dangerous team, leaving Real Madrid struggling in the first half.

The second half started the same way the first half ended but this time Real Madrid added more intensity to their game.

The first goal of the game came in the 65th minute from a counter-attack led by Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder slotted a precise pass to the path of Vinicius Jr. who slotted the ball into the back of the net. 

Vinicius Jr scores Real Madrid opening goal || Imago
Vinicius Jr scores Real Madrid opening goal || Imago

It did not take long before Leipzig got the equaliser to give themselves a fighting chance. Dani Carvajal made a mess of a clearance, RB Leipzig came again and a cross from the left was met by a diving header from Willi Orban to guide the ball past Andriy Lunin. 

Leipzig tried all they had attacking-wise to get the second goal but failed to convert their chances as they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League.