Carlo Ancelotti Thrilled as Real Madrid Advances Past Knockout Stage

Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti lavished acclaim on striker Kylian Mbappe following his stunning hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph against Manchester City on Wednesday, a result that propelled the Champions League champions into the knockout stage.

Ancelotti expressed his belief that Mbappe possesses the ability to emulate club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who stands as Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer with an impressive tally of 451 goals in 438 appearances for the 15-time Champions League winners.

“He possesses the talent to match those figures, but he must put in the hard work, as Cristiano set an exceptionally high standard. However, he is incredibly motivated to play here and could certainly reach Cristiano’s level,” Ancelotti remarked during a press conference.

“Everyone was eagerly anticipating this hat-trick from him, and it has finally come to fruition. Yet, Mbappe is just one of many; we have a host of players who can make a significant impact. Their collective efforts often outweigh individual skill, which is truly commendable.“

Ancelotti reflected on the challenges faced by his squad, indicating that their sluggish start to the season resulted in a position outside the league’s top eight, which necessitated the added pressure of the knockout stage.

The reigning champions will either face Bayer Leverkusen or their city rivals Atletico Madrid, depending on the draw on Friday, as they aim for a record-extending 16th title.

“It’s certainly not ideal to have to navigate through the knockout phase, considering we had to play 10 matches to reach the round of 16,” Ancelotti stated.

“We are not emerging from a challenging period; instead, we are entering one as this is when the real season gets underway. There’s no time to rest or pause. That said, on an emotional level, this tie has indeed been beneficial for us. Let’s keep the momentum going.“