Champions League: Benitez shrugs off Real fan whistles, focuses on last-16
Spanish side through to knockout stage after fending off PSG 1-0
First-half substitute Nacho was the unlikely hero with the only goal of the game as Real beat PSG 1-0 on Tuesday to seal their place in the last 16. PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID:
Real Madrid struggled for long spells in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain and there were whistles from the Bernabeu crowd but coach Rafa Benitez said the most important thing was reaching the Champions League last-16.
Benitez’s side are still unbeaten this season in all competitions but they rode their luck against PSG who dominated especially in the first half and Real scored through Nacho Fernandez from one of their few chances after 35 minutes.
“We have played against a strong side in PSG and I am happy because we have qualified which is what is important,” Benitez told reporters. “We won, we were able to battle and we are now first in the group without conceding a goal, which are reasons to be positive against a difficult rival.”
Real handed PSG their first loss of the season in all competitions and are through to the knockout stage with 10 points from four games, three more than the French side.
Still there were whistles from some fans who were expecting more from the 2014 Champions League winners.
“We must reflect on what we didn’t do well in the first half and a lot of things in defence,” said Benitez. “In the second half we were better but I think it is important to remember that we have qualified for the next round and we have done so with players out injured.
Pellegrini demands more from brilliant City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini urged his players to maintain the standards they set in sweeping aside Sevilla 3-1 to seal their place in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday.
Despite their vast resources, City have struggled to make an impact on the Champions League, losing to Barcelona in the last-16 in the two previous seasons they have made it to the knockout stage.
However, they produced arguably their best European display under Pellegrini’s tutelage as early goals from Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes.
Benoit Tremoulinas pulled a goal back for Sevilla, but Wilfried Bony restored City’s two-goal lead before the break and Pellegrini’s men passed up a series of chances to add to their lead in the second half against a Sevilla side that had won their previous 10 European games at home.
“I am very happy because I think we played a complete game. We were good physically, technically and tactically,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“I hadn’t been happy with the way we had been playing, even when we were winning. Today it was different and that is how we must continue.”
Van Gaal relieved after United end drought
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted to feeling “relieved” after Wayne Rooney ended the club’s 404-minute scoring drought to secure a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow.
“We deserve it totally, I think. I’m relieved, but also proud, because it’s not so easy,” said the Dutchman after United’s first home win against Russian opposition in four attempts.
“In the golden years of Manchester United, I have read, they never won against a Russian team at home. Everybody thinks it is easy for Man United, but it is not easy for one club to win in the Champions League.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2015.
Real Madrid struggled for long spells in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain and there were whistles from the Bernabeu crowd but coach Rafa Benitez said the most important thing was reaching the Champions League last-16.
Benitez’s side are still unbeaten this season in all competitions but they rode their luck against PSG who dominated especially in the first half and Real scored through Nacho Fernandez from one of their few chances after 35 minutes.
“We have played against a strong side in PSG and I am happy because we have qualified which is what is important,” Benitez told reporters. “We won, we were able to battle and we are now first in the group without conceding a goal, which are reasons to be positive against a difficult rival.”
Real handed PSG their first loss of the season in all competitions and are through to the knockout stage with 10 points from four games, three more than the French side.
Still there were whistles from some fans who were expecting more from the 2014 Champions League winners.
“We must reflect on what we didn’t do well in the first half and a lot of things in defence,” said Benitez. “In the second half we were better but I think it is important to remember that we have qualified for the next round and we have done so with players out injured.
Pellegrini demands more from brilliant City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini urged his players to maintain the standards they set in sweeping aside Sevilla 3-1 to seal their place in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday.
Despite their vast resources, City have struggled to make an impact on the Champions League, losing to Barcelona in the last-16 in the two previous seasons they have made it to the knockout stage.
However, they produced arguably their best European display under Pellegrini’s tutelage as early goals from Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes.
Benoit Tremoulinas pulled a goal back for Sevilla, but Wilfried Bony restored City’s two-goal lead before the break and Pellegrini’s men passed up a series of chances to add to their lead in the second half against a Sevilla side that had won their previous 10 European games at home.
“I am very happy because I think we played a complete game. We were good physically, technically and tactically,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“I hadn’t been happy with the way we had been playing, even when we were winning. Today it was different and that is how we must continue.”
Van Gaal relieved after United end drought
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted to feeling “relieved” after Wayne Rooney ended the club’s 404-minute scoring drought to secure a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow.
“We deserve it totally, I think. I’m relieved, but also proud, because it’s not so easy,” said the Dutchman after United’s first home win against Russian opposition in four attempts.
“In the golden years of Manchester United, I have read, they never won against a Russian team at home. Everybody thinks it is easy for Man United, but it is not easy for one club to win in the Champions League.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2015.