Wolfsburg upset Real Madrid to take sizable Champions League advantage
WOLFSBURG, Germany -- Wolfsburg battled its way to a shock 2-0 victory over record 10-time winner Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Playing in its first quarterfinal in the competition, Wolfsburg outmuscled and outran the Spanish giant to give itself a clear chance of advancing after next week's second leg at the Bernabeu.
"We are in a good position, we can always score a goal," Wolfsburg's coach Dieter Hecking said.
Ricardo Rodriguez converted a penalty in the 18th minute and Maximilian Arnold added the second in the 25th as the home side used counterattacks to devastating effect.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for offside in the second minute and the Madrid star had little chance of increasing his competition-high tally of 13 goals after that.
"We didn't get into the game well," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "But we still have 90 minutes at home, we have to stay calm."
Madrid came into the match following a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Spanish league "clasico," while Wolfsburg is struggling in the Bundesliga.
"We knew it would be difficult. Wolfsburg got better into the match. We had our difficulties, we lacked intensity and movement. We didn't expect to lose 2-0," Zidane said. "Our second half was better."
In Wednesday's other match, Paris Saint-German drew 2-2 with Manchester City at home.
Wolfsburg took the lead when Casemiro upended Andre Schuerrle with a rash tackle. Rodriguez sent Kelor Navas the wrong way from the spot.
The second goal came soon afterward.
Julian Draxler cut inside form the left and squared the ball to Bruno Henrique, whose cross allowed Arnold to tap in from close range.
Henrique was a surprise choice by Hecking. The Brazilian midfielder had not played in the Champions League before and had only made five brief appearances in the Bundesliga before Wednesday but threatened frequently on the right flank.
The second surprise was the inclusion of central defender Naldo, who missed five weeks with a shoulder injury and had been expected to sit out the rest of the season.
"My doctor came from Brazil and I told the coach this week that I was ready to play," Naldo said.
Madrid striker Karim Benzema limped off late in the first half with what seemed a left-knee injury.
Schuerrle could have made it 3-0 in the second half but shot high, while Ronaldo sent a close-range header over the top after a cross from Gareth Bale.
