Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says that Basel are better than Liverpool at present and expects them to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Madrid clinched top spot in Group B by beating the Swiss champions 1-0 at St Jakob Park on Wednesday, leaving Swiss side Basel and Liverpool to fight it out for second place.
Basel need to avoid defeat to Liverpool in the final round of games in order to qualify and they have received the backing of Ancelotti, who believes the Swiss side are better equipped than Brendan Rodgers’ men.
“I think Basel are currently better than Liverpool,” the Italian told reporters. “I see a small advantage for Basel for the last round.”
The 55-year-old Italian also admitted that Basel posed Madrid problems on Wednesday night.
“We did not play as we usually do,” the former Chelsea boss conceded. “We defended well, we concentrated well and the most important thing was the victory.
“But Basel played with a lot of heart. They showed an intense game and were able to put us under pressure in the second half.”