Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show as Real Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League thanks to his hat-trick and the forward has shared who he wants to face in the next round
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League
Kylian Mbappe has revealed he wants Real Madrid to meet rivals Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick as Madrid thrashed Manchester City 3-1 in the second leg of the play-off clash on Wednesday, with Pep Guardiola’s side crashing out of Europe after a 6-3 loss on aggregate.
Madrid will now face either Atletico or Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 next month, with the draw set to be held at UEFA’s headquarters in Switzerland on Friday, and Mbappe is hoping for a Madrid derby.
“I have always said I didn’t come here simply to complete a dream,” Mbappe said after the game. “I want to play well, I want to mark an era. I knew I couldn’t be doing worse than I was initially here, and I knew that I had to begin to play with personality.
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“As for goals, I do not set myself any limits. If I can score 50 goals I will; if I can score more, I will. But I’ve often scored lots of goals in my career and not won trophies. If I can score and lift trophies, let me sign up for that right now. This was a perfect night.
“We wanted to win and this was how to do it. To us, it’s logical that Madrid are in the quarter-final. We gave everything in front of our home fans and we won because we produced a great performance against City, who are always difficult to play.
“Honestly, I would rather we are drawn against Atleti. They and Bayer are two great clubs and it would be difficult either way. But in the next round, it would be much better for us if we don’t have to travel – we travel so much!”
Just one point separates the two Madrid sides in LaLiga so far this season, while their two league clashes have both ended as 1-1 draws. Carlo Ancelotti was also asked who he would prefer to face in the next round, but the veteran manager refused to be drawn.
“I don’t know,” Ancelotti replied. “Honestly I don’t know. Who I want tonight could change tomorrow. All I want to say about the draw is that both Atleti and Leverkusen are good rivals and we will respect them.”
Los Blancos are the current Champions League holders, having beaten Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in last year’s final and they are hoping to lift the trophy for a 16th time this season.