The first legs of the Champions League knockout phase has come to a close and none of the eight matches ended in a draw. With a spot in the round of 16 on the line, most clashes are hanging in the balance as Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain were the only teams to win their matches by more than one goal.

Not much that happens in this competition surprises Ancelotti, a European champion twice as a player and five times as a coach, but the manner of their 3-2 victory over Manchester City felt like a revelation to the Madrid coach.

Los Blancos have always boasted some of the best players in the world, but its their never-say-die spirit which so often proves decisive in Europe