Rafa Benitez has hailed his side’s performance after Real Madrid beat PSG 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to ensure qualification for the last-16 of the Champions League with two groups games to spare.
The narrow win came courtesy of a Nacho goal in the 35th minute – the defender’s first goal in European competition coming just three minutes after he replaced the injured Marcelo.
Los Blancos have won three of their four games in their group with the other being a goal less draw in Paris two weeks ago. The La Liga leaders are yet to concede in European competition this season.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Benitez said he was delighted with his team’s progress, adding any manager would have signed the dotted line to be in three competitions.
“This game makes the first leg much more important. Getting a result as we did and winning here against a great side shows that we are getting there, we have qualified. We were able to stick in there and in the second half we had various counterattacks to try and get another goal. The value of this win is increased by the quality of the opponents we faced,” he told reporters.
And he added: “If we keep the team solid it will be easier to win more games. Any manager would sign on the dotted line to qualify, not concede goals and be in the three competitions.”
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