REAL MADRID manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted his side was rocked by the intensity levels Celtic set in the first half as the Spaniards won 3-0 without really dominating the match as the scoreline would suggest.

The side didn’t really have many chances and was clinical in front of goal; something Celtic struggled with on Tuesday night.

Celtic couldn’t keep the same intensity levels as they started with, tiring in the second half. But that’s why Postecoglou has a big squad; it enables him to switch players at any point in the match.

As quoted by Daily Record, the Italian manager admitted that Ange Postecoglou’s side made it difficult for Los Blancos, but after halftime, they were able to overcome the intensity struggles.

“Two games, first half, imbalanced, we suffered a little bit (with the) intensity, second half, we have more control and dangerous in the counter attack.

“We are not surprised, we knew they could start really fast with a lot of intensity, we were lucky because they hit the post, we were good with the ball. Also, in the first half, we didn’t play so fast in the final third but second half much better, we needed to improve the speed in the final third, good combinations and three fantastic goals. When we opened the scoring, it was easier for us to control the ball, we played with quality in the midfield, Kroos had a fantastic game, good control, second half there was no problem.”

Had Celtic managed to maintain the performance levels of the first half, the scoreline would’ve been different.

The players will keep their heads up with Livingston to play on Saturday before flying to Poland to play Shakhtar Donetsk, who are top of the group next week.