Real Madrid’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League was anything but easy, and manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted as much after the match.

While Los Blancos managed to secure their place in the quarterfinals, the Italian coach acknowledged that it was a physically and mentally draining encounter.

Speaking after the game, Ancelotti reflected on the difficulties his side faced against their city rivals, who struck early and forced Real Madrid to play from behind.

“We didn’t play our best football, but the important thing is that we stayed calm,” Ancelotti said. “We were never really out of this tie. We knew it was going to be tough, but we’re used to these kinds of matches.”

Despite struggling to create clear-cut chances in attack, Real Madrid held their nerve and took the game to penalties, where their composure ultimately made the difference. The result means they now set up an enticing quarterfinal clash against Arsenal.

However, the demanding nature of the match has left its mark on the squad. Ancelotti admitted that his players are feeling the strain of a long and intense season.

“It’s a demanding season with too many games, and we’re all feeling the strain,” he said. “But we’re happy to have made it through. It’s a big achievement for us.”

Real Madrid now turn their focus to preparing for another crucial European battle, but they will need to recover quickly from this exhausting derby before facing Arsenal in the next round.