Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois of Real Madrid claims he wants to avoid playing any of the remaining English teams in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
On Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the Belgian keeper was in net as Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 1-0.
In their quest to retain their European championship, Carlo Ancelotti’s team easily advanced to the round of eight after defeating the Reds 6-2 overall.
After crushing RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, Manchester City advanced to the next round. Chelsea also advanced after defeating Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.
Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, and Bayern Munich are among the other teams that are still in the running.
Real Madrid could therefore be paired together with any of the teams in the quarter-finals but their safest pair of hands, Courtois is hoping his side will avoid Chelsea and Manchester City. “I would like to change a bit,” he said, via Daily Mail. “Last year we already faced City and Chelsea, let’s see if we play other teams this year.”
He added: “Last year we made it clear what character we have in the team, with comebacks, we earn respect, we show that Real Madrid is always there.” Real Madrid eliminated both Chelsea and Manchester City from the Champions League last term, before beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final to win their 14th European title.
Ancelotti doesn’t want AC Milan
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is seeking to win back-to-back Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but the veteran manager is afraid of meeting one team in the quarter-finals.
The 63-year-old manager guided the Spanish giants into the last eight with ease after Los Blancos swept aside Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate, as they push to defend their European title. According to Sempremilan, Ancelotti revealed he would prefer to avoid playing his former club, AC Milan when the draws for the UCL quarter-finals are conducted on March 17.
Real Madrid respect Liverpool
A familiar tune rang out at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night, Sports Brief previously reported.