Ancelotti Admits Arsenal Were The Better Team After Real Madrid Exit

By: Gyang Dakwo

Carlo Ancelotti showed great honesty and class after his Real Madrid team were knocked out of the Champions League by a strong Arsenal side. The Gunners won 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-final and looked the better team from start to finish.

Arsenal set the tone with a brilliant 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg. In the second leg in Spain, Mikel Arteta’s team stayed calm and confident, never letting Madrid build any real momentum. They kept the home side quiet in the first half, not allowing a single shot on target.

Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the second half with a clever finish. Vinicius Junior briefly gave Real Madrid some hope after scoring from a rare mistake by William Saliba. But Gabriel Martinelli sealed the night with a stoppage-time goal, giving Arsenal a 2-1 win in the second leg and full control of the tie.

Speaking after the match, Ancelotti said, “Something, we needed something. But we have to be honest, Arsenal deserved it in both games. Football has a happy side and a sad side. We have seen the happy side many times, today we got the sad side.”

The Madrid manager’s words showed respect for Arsenal and acceptance of the result.

Midfielder Dani Ceballos, who once played for Arsenal on loan, agreed with his coach. “Arsenal were superior,” he said. “We lacked football, we lacked intensity, we were not competitive, we did not win duels.”

The match had some heated moments, but there was nothing but respect between the managers. Arteta shared a friendly moment with Ancelotti after the final whistle. “Carlo Ancelotti told me that he hopes Arsenal win the Champions League,” Arteta said.

Arsenal’s young star Bukayo Saka, who scored again in the second leg, was full of belief. “I like to believe that,” he told TNT Sports. “We showed that we can play in Europe and beat one of the best teams in the world, home and away. Very proud of this team. Tonight was a big statement and I am so happy for everyone.”

With this win, Arsenal move into the semi-finals and look ready to challenge for their first Champions League title. Real Madrid, the competition’s most successful club, bow out with dignity, accepting that this time, they met a better team.