Carlo Ancelotti made a surprise last-second change to his penalty takers due to one Real Madrid player ‘not feeling confident’ against Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals via a 4-2 victory on penalties, with four of their five players successfully converting their spot kicks for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Julian Alvarez had his successful penalty disallowed by VAR for Atletico after officials determined he had kicked the ball with both feet, before Marcos Llorente’s effort struck the crossbar.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham both executed near-perfect penalties for Real, followed by Federico Valverde who also found the net. Lucas Vasquez’s attempt was saved by Jan Oblak, but Antonio Rudiger’s decisive effort squeezed past the Slovenian goalkeeper to secure Real Madrid’s advancement.
Last-Minute Penalty Taker Switch Proves Decisive
What many fans don’t know is that Rudiger wasn’t initially slated to take Real’s final penalty. Ancelotti has since revealed that 18-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick was originally designated for the crucial final spot kick, but a last-second decision changed everything.
The Italian manager explained: “Endrick was supposed to shoot the final penalty, but we didn’t see him very confident. We chose Rudiger, he’s more cold.”
This strategic decision highlights Ancelotti’s experience and psychological awareness in high-pressure knockout matches. The manager’s ability to read his players’ mental state proved crucial in the Madrid derby shootout victory.
Real Madrid’s Path Forward in Champions League
Following their dramatic penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico, Los Blancos now face Premier League title contenders Arsenal in the quarter-finals. The two-legged tie begins next month with both clubs eyeing a coveted semi-final spot.
The Gunners earned their quarter-final place by dominating PSV with a comprehensive 9-3 aggregate victory. Mikel Arteta’s squad demonstrated their attacking prowess by demolishing the Dutch side 7-1 in the first leg away from home.
Key moments from the Madrid derby penalty shootout:
- VAR disallowed Julian Alvarez’s penalty for double-touching the ball
- Marcos Llorente hit the crossbar for Atletico
- Mbappe and Bellingham converted confidently for Real Madrid
- Lucas Vasquez’s attempt was saved by Oblak
- Rudiger’s decisive penalty sealed the victory
The unexpected substitution of Vinicius Junior for Endrick in the second half of extra time initially puzzled spectators. Vinicius had earlier missed a penalty in normal time by firing over the bar, but as one of Real Madrid’s premier attackers, he likely would have participated in the shootout had he remained on the pitch.
Ancelotti’s decision-making throughout the match demonstrated why he remains one of football’s elite managers, capable of reading both the tactical and psychological dimensions of crucial knockout fixtures.
The Champions League quarter-final matchup between Real Madrid and Arsenal promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between Ancelotti’s experience and Arteta’s progressive approach. Both clubs bring rich European traditions and current domestic form into what should be an enthralling two-legged encounter.
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