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Real Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

1-0

Benzema (27')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Carlo Ancelotti: 'Liverpool problems are bigger than Mario Balotelli'

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says that misfiring Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is wrongly being scapegoated for the Reds' early-season woes.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Liverpool's problems run far deeper than Mario Balotelli's goalscoring woes.

The 24-year-old has come under fire after producing a string of lacklustre performances, having scored just twice in 12 games since securing a £16m move from AC Milan.

The Reds have subsequently struggled as last season's runners-up in the Premier League sit seventh in the table after dropping 16 points already.

Although admitting that Balotelli's profligacy is a problem, Ancelotti, whose side face Liverpool in the Champions League tonight, says that there are plenty of other issues to address in the team.

"Balotelli is spoken of a lot, maybe too much, he has quality," he told reporters. "He is at a side where they're not playing well having lost Luis Suarez who scored a lot.

"They need another solution, but I don't think all of Liverpool's problems are Balotelli. He needs to do his work for the side. That's all that can be asked of him."

Kickoff at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled for 7.45pm.

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Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Bayern Munchen at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 23, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

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QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

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QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

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QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

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QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

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QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

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QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

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QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


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