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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Carlo Ancelotti details "magic" PSG comeback as Real Madrid duo handed special praise

Carlo Ancelotti lauded Karim Benzema and Luka Modric after the veteran duo inspired Real Madrid to a famous Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain.

Benzema scored a hat-trick - with Modric assisting the second goal - to help the 13-time European champions recover from two goals down to win 3-2 on aggregate in a memorable comeback on Wednesday evening.

All three goals came in the last 30 minutes of the two-legged tie, seeing Real knock out one of the competition's favourites and reach the quarter-finals.

Benzema, 34, and Modric, 36, are both aiming to win the Champions League for a fifth time.

Modric won the Ballon d'Or aged 33 and Benzema has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season, helping France win the Nations League last autumn.

And Ancelotti believes the two stars are getting better with age.

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Karim Benzema scored a stunning hat-trick to send Real Madrid into the quarter-finals (AFP via Getty Images)

"Every day they are better," said Ancelotti. "I have the pleasure of being with them. Karim had an injury, now he's back, and Luka always plays at his best, wherever he is."

Real's comeback started in the 57th minute, when Ancelotti introduced youngsters Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga from the bench.

"The changes have come at a time when they changed the dynamics of the match," said Ancelotti when asked about his substitutions.

"It wasn't just a tactical change, but we had a lot of energy".

Ancelotti went on to praise the "magic" of the Bernabeu, believing Real's home advantage played an important role in their dramatic recovery.

"We suffered a lot, but we held on," added the former Chelsea coach. "We had problems getting the ball back, but good pressure from Karim allowed us to equalize and then the magic of the Bernabeu came out.

"From 1-1, there was only one team."

Ancelotti went on to say: "It's the magic of a stadium and a club with a great history. I've played many games in this competition and I find few like it. Hopefully it will be an unforgettable night, that will say that we have done well throughout the Champions League."

Luka Modric is aiming to win a fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid (NurPhoto/PA Images)

Real are enjoying an excellent season under Ancelotti, who left his role as Everton manager last summer to become the Spanish outfit's coach for a second time.

Real are currently eight points clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga and won the Spanish Super Cup in January, beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in the final in Saudi Arabia.

Ancelotti won four trophies during his first spell at the club between 2013 and 2015, including Real's 10th Champions League title - known as "La Decima" by the fans.

On his team's chances of winning the competition for a record 14th time, Ancelotti added: "If we're good you can compete against any team.

"Things have changed because we played better this game. Luck helps you, of course."

"We are all very happy, excited... Not many words came out. I prefer not to talk after the games. We are all very happy."

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