Madrid confident of home win
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo fired them into the lead in the 28th minute but Pontus Wernbloom netted the equalizer for the visitors in added time to end Madrid’s perfect record in this year’s tournament.
"We clearly expected a better result seeing how the game unfolded. The draw isn't a bad result, but it could have been better,” Alonso told reporters after the match.
The Spaniards had to adjust to the cold temperature and the artificial turf at the Luzhniki Stadium, but Alonso feels it was the artificial grass that affected them more.
"The cold wasn't much of a problem. The turf was different. I felt we didn't fully adapt to it, especially when passing the ball,” he said.
"We all saw Ronaldo was fouled before their equalizer; but we shouldn't dwell on it.
“Our opponent also did a good job and practically had no trouble until they scored. We are confident to win the tie in the return leg."
The return leg will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 14th with CSKA Moscow needing to score at least one goal to avoid elimination.
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