Explained: Why Real Madrid played Liverpool's YNWA anthem at Santiago Bernabeu
FootballCourtois Names Two Teams He Wants Real Madrid to Avoid in the Champions League Quarter Finals
- Thibaut Courtois hopes Real Madrid avoid two teams in the Champions League
- The Spanish giants dispatched Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate to reach the last 8
- Los Blancos are one of eight teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals
Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibault Courtois says he wants to avoid the remaining English clubs in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Belgian goalie was in post when Los Blancos saw off Liverpool with a 1-0 triumph on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti's side qualified for the last eight with ease after beating the Reds 6-2 on aggregate, as they push to defend their European title.
Manchester City advanced to the next stage after thrashing RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, while Chelsea are through after beating Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.
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The other teams still in the competition include Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, and Bayern Munich.
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 names team Real Madrid should avoid in the Champions League quarter-finals
FootballAncelotti 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.
The Spanish giants already had one foot in the quarter-finals of the UCL after recording a resounding 5-2 victory in the first leg at Anfield three weeks ago.
They then got the job done thanks to a 78th-minute solitary strike from their captain, Karim Benzema, to advance to the last eight on an emphatic 6-2 aggregate.