Man of the Match, Karim Benzema: "It was a great game for the fans and we're into the quarters"

Real Madrid got the better of Liverpool in their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash thanks to a Karim Benzema strike, which saw the Frenchman named man of the match. Following the final whistle, he reflected: “It was a tough game against good opposition but we showed we wanted to get on the front foot from the off. It was a great game for the fans and we're into the quarters".

“Football today is all about digging in. Everyone wants more but sometimes you have to suffer in a game. The important thing is to win it and get through".
 
Knock as he scored the goal
“It was just a real blow to my shin but that's all it was, a knock, I'll be fit for Sunday”.
 
Potential opposition
“Every team is quality, there are no small teams at this level. They're all much the same, it's tiny details that decide it. Let's see who we get”.
 
On Camavinga
“As I know Liverpool's centre-backs play quite wide, there is always more chance through the middle, which is where I went for the goal. He tries things, he's a young player but he's got heaps of talent and we're thrilled with him”.

Third-highest madridista appearance-maker in the European Cup
Against Liverpool, Benzema made his 129th European Cup appearance as a madridista. This sees the Frenchman move level with Sergio Ramos into third place on Real Madrid's all-time list in the continental competition. Only Casillas (152) and Raúl (132) sit ahead of the duo.
 
Benzema's Real Madrid debut in the European Cup came on the 30th of September 2009 in the win over Olympique Marseille (3-0). It marked the beginning of a legendary madridista career in the Champions League, where he has gone on to become one of the competition's most decorated stars with 5 titles to his name.
 
Historic numbers
The goal against Liverpool means Benzema has scored 77 times in 14 seasons in the competition with our team. This makes him the second-highest Real Madrid goalscorer in the history of the European Cup behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (105). Last season deserves a special mention, as he was named best player in the Champions League, with his 15 goals helping fire the team to La Decimocuarta.