'He was second or third choice' - Ancelotti chases history with Real Madrid after proving doubters wrong - Inside Europe

Real Madrid seemingly have one foot in the semi-final of the Champions League following an impressive 3-1 first leg victory away to holders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The 13-time former winners have a hat-trick from Karim Benzema to thank for their healthy advantage ahead of the Bernabeu fixture.

Orchestrating from the dugout is Carlo Ancelotti with the Italian manager in his second spell at the club having previously led the club to their long-awaited ‘Decima’ Champions League win in 2014. Ad/> Despite this, he was sacked by the club 12 months later; he returned this season to complete some unfinished business.

Champions LeagueTime for Werner to join cast of unlikely lads in Bernabeu – The Warm-Up9 HOURS AGO Having failed to win La Liga first time around, Ancelotti’s current side have virtually stormed to the title this season, with just four wins required from their remaining seven matches to confirm their status as champions. For the man himself, it would mark the historic achievement of winning the title in all of the ‘big five’ leagues in Europe.

In England, of course, he won the league with Chelsea who he will be looking to dispatch on his way to another milestone – a fourth Champions League success, making him the most successful manager in the competition’s history. Eurosport Spain’s Felix Martin talks us through Ancelotti’s season and how he has edged close to a place in the record books.