Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 0: Carlo Ancelotti praises Javier Hernandez after Mexican striker scores winner following 'difficult year'
On-loan striker seals victory with 88th-minute goal to send Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals
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Your support makes all the difference.Carlo Ancelotti has called on his Real Madrid side to replicate the commitment they showed against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The current holders went through 1-0 on aggregate against their city rivals after Javier Hernandez netted two minutes from time. This came after Arda Turan saw red in the 76th minute after picking up a second yellow card for a late tackle on Sergio Ramos.
Real join bitter rivals Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus, who progressed after a 1-0 aggregate win over Monaco in the last four.
"We respect all of the three sides in the draw," Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference.
"Whatever happens, these teams deserve to be in the semi-finals. We'll see what happens during the draw.
"As long as we show that same commitment, Real Madrid will have no problem competing against any team."
Hernandez was only playing because of an injury to Karim Benzema and Ancelotti was delighted with his contribution.
"We have to congratulate him because it has been a difficult year for him," he said. "He hasn't played much but he has always trained well, fought hard and made sacrifices.
"At the end of the day he deserves this. He played really well, he was very lively. He deserved to score that goal, a massively important goal for us".
Juventus are the outsiders, but after their progression Leonardo Bonucci is looking for his side to do more than just make up the numbers.
"We just have to attack the semi-finals to win it," he said after the game.
"Surely the positive side of this evening is to have reached the semi-final. We must return believe in ourselves and we must continue to dream: nothing is barred, we must believe it more. "
Juventus progressed after a goalless draw in Monaco and Bonucci admitted his side were not at their best.
"We lacked a little courage and personality," he admitted. "Technically we were wrong and we were lucky."
PA
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