Sports Desk, Mar 7 (EFE)- Vinicius Junior struck a superb goal before Real Madrid overcame a spirited Leipzig to secure a nerve-jangling 1-1 draw at home and move to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Beaten 0-1 at home, Leipzig came up with all guns blazing after Willi Orban cancelled out Vinicius goal and had Madrid on the rope, nearly pushing the game to extra time with a few last-ditch efforts.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made two changes from their first leg win to Jude Bellingham behind lone striker Vinicius, but their game lacked attacking flair until the introduction of Rodrygo in the second half.
Leipzig also missed the cutting edge they needed to break Madrid’s defense as Lois Openda sent three efforts wide, including two in the space of three minutes, and Xavi Simons forced Andriy Lunin into a save with the only shot on target before half-time.
“We were playing opponents who had loads of quality but came here with nothing to lose,” said Ancelotti.
“My team played within themselves. Naturally, that meant we were forced to suffer, but the only important thing is that we are in the quarterfinals.”
Lunin, who made nine saves in the first leg in Leipzig, was also forced into diving at the feet of Openda early in the second half to prevent him from scoring.
Madrid upped the ante after Rodrygo came to the field and tested Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi with a fierce strike.
Moments later, Vinicius was set by Bellingham from a counterattack to slot the ball in with a powerful shot.
However, Leipzig refused to give up and were level in the game soon, with captain Orban sending a glancing header from David Raum’s cross into the far corner of the net.
Dani Olmo’s looping effort hit the bar in injury time, saving Madrid from doing more work to seal their 12th quarterfinal spot in the last 14 campaigns. EFE
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