Carlo Ancelotti confronted a tricky day, coping with accusations of tax fraud from Spanish tax authorities. However, his day ended on a optimistic observe as Real Madrid secured a spot within the Champions League quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season, regardless of a lackluster efficiency towards Leipzig on Wednesday.
Madrid managed solely a 1-1 draw towards Leipzig on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, a consequence that was enough to advance because of their 1-0 victory within the first leg in Germany three weeks in the past.
The dwelling crowd expressed their dissatisfaction at instances in the course of the match as Madrid struggled towards Leipzig. However, the workforce held on to safe a 2-1 mixture victory and a spot within the subsequent spherical.
Regarding the tax fraud accusations, prosecutors in Madrid have accused Ancelotti of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of 1 million euros ($1.09 million) in 2014 and 2015, throughout his preliminary tenure with the membership.
Prosecutors are searching for a jail sentence of 4 years and 9 months for the Italian coach, alleging that he used a shell firm to hide components of his earnings from picture rights.
After the match, Ancelotti addressed the accusations and denied any wrongdoing.
“It’s an old story that started eight years ago because of a tax declaration for 2015,” Ancelotti mentioned. “The tax authority says that I was a resident at the time and I don’t think that I was a resident. I already paid the fine, the money is with them, and now the lawyers are talking to try to find a solution. I’m convinced that I’m innocent, that I was not a resident in 2015, and they think that I was a resident. Let’s see what the judge says.”
Ancelotti mentioned the tax problem was not affecting him.
“Hopefully it can be resolved soon,” he mentioned. “I don’t have any problems, I’m very calm. The only problem I have is that the team has to play better.”
Ancelotti mentioned it was not the very best night time for Madrid on the Bernabeu.
VinÃcius Júnior put the hosts forward after an help by Jude Bellingham within the sixty fifth and a gritty Leipzig aspect equalized with captain Willi Orbán within the 68th.
Leipzig had a number of probabilities to tug off the upset after a lackluster efficiency by Madrid, the file 14-time European champion. Dani Olmo’s try hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
“It was a bad match, we didn’t play well,” Ancelotti mentioned. “They have quality and played with nothing to lose, while we had the brakes on. We suffered in the end but what mattered was to reach the quarterfinals, and we did it.”
Leipzig ended with 21 whole makes an attempt towards 12 by Madrid. The German aspect additionally had extra makes an attempt on track – 4 towards three by the hosts.
“We did feel like we had their number at times today,” Leipzig coach Marco Rose mentioned. “I respect Real Madrid a lot, the whole team, and I congratulate them on making it through. But I have to repeat my praise for my team. To travel here in a knockout game with such a result from the first leg and to show that you really believe, that’s something extraordinary.”
In the opposite round-of-16 match on Wednesday, defending champion Manchester City defeated Copenhagen 3-1 at dwelling to advance 6-2 on mixture.
Madrid, celebrating its 122nd anniversary, received off to a gradual begin and struggled towards a Leipzig workforce that have been properly arrange. The German aspect threatened on a number of events, forcing Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to make a number of good saves. There have been some jeers by the gang on the Bernabeu at halftime, when Madrid completed with no makes an attempt on track.
“Mission accomplished,” Madrid defender Nacho Fernández mentioned. “It wasn’t our best match this season. They played well and we didn’t, but we have to be happy because we are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.”
The hosts lastly broke the impasse with VinÃcius Júnior scoring from inside the realm after a cross by Bellingham following a breakaway. The Brazil ahead celebrated by sitting on
But Leipzig saved urgent and equalized three minutes later with a header by Orbán after a well-placed cross by David Raum.
Leipzig wished a crimson card for VinÃcius Júnior after he shoved an opponent early within the second half, however the referee confirmed him a yellow. The Brazil ahead then exchanged phrases with Rose close to the sideline.
“We were close, just needed to be a little bit more efficient,” Olmo mentioned. “We played the 180 minutes with quality, we deserved a bit more. But against Madrid you have to play a lot better than them to be able to win.”
Since being eradicated within the spherical of 16 in 2019-20, Madrid has reached no less than the semifinals every season. It received its record-extending 14th European title in 2022.
Leipzig was enjoying within the competitors’s knockout spherical for the fourth time in 5 seasons, having reached the semifinals in 2019-20, when it misplaced to Paris Saint-Germain. It was eradicated within the spherical of 16 the final two seasons.
Madrid have drawn 4 of their final seven matches in all competitions. They have a seven-point lead over Girona within the Spanish league.
Source: www.dailysabah.com