Madrid full of confidence in Champions League: Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team were full of confidence after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday. The record 14-time champions of Europe beat Liverpool 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, 6-2 on aggregate, to progress to the last eight.
Madrid are aiming to win the Champions League for the sixth time in 10 seasons and Ancelotti believes his team’s remarkable run to glory last season has given them a lot of confidence. Los Blancos pulled off stunning comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, before beating Liverpool in the final.
Even in the last 16 first-leg clash with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, Madrid fell two goals behind before roaring to a 5-2 win. “We have a lot more confidence, because of what happened last year, it gave us a lot of confidence,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“We saw that in this tie, against a strong team, we did well in the two games. But later, with confidence alone, we don’t reach the semi-finals. We have to play surprising football ... as always, the Champions League is very complicated and we have to compete until the end.”
The coach hailed the blend of youth and experience in his squad, with veteran midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and youngster Eduardo Camavinga, playing well together against Liverpool. “The atmosphere is created by the players – the intelligence, humility and patience of the veterans,” said Ancelotti.
“The key is the humility of the veterans, they don’t have egos, and the patience of the youngsters because in front of them are players who have had fantastic careers and still are. Modric and Kroos aren’t playing because of the careers they have had, they are playing because they deserve it.”

Rashford drive eases United past Betis in Europa League
Marcus Rashford’s swerving strike from distance earned Manchester United a 1-0 win at Real Betis yesterday and passage to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
The Red Devils and their counterparts from Andalucia played out an entertaining game at a lively Benito Villamarin stadium, with home fans believing for a while they could mount a comeback, despite their three-goal deficit.
Joaquin hit the post for Betis and Juanmi spurned two clear chances for the hosts as they started well. However Rashford’s brilliant goal early in the second half quelled that idea and United saw the game out comfortably as Betis’ energy levels dipped.
Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag handed 21-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri his first start for the club in sun-washed Seville, after some bright cameos from the bench. Antony was unavailable because of illness and Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho is out for weeks with an ankle injury. The Uruguayan youngster was instantly involved on a bright display, overcooking a cross from the right as United looked to put the game out of Betis’s reach straight away. Wout Weghorst flung himself at a corner, flicked on by Casemiro, but it was too far for him to reach. The hosts hit back, sending Juanmi through on goal, but the former Southampton forward dragged his shot wide of David de Gea’s far post.