Related items

• Ancelotti lauds 'unique' Endrick after Champions League debut

  Carlo Ancelotti hailed Endrick's display in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Stuttgart in the Champions League, saying he has unique gifts that set him apart. 

  Endrick emerged from the bench to notch Madrid's final goal of a nervy encounter, striking from distance and beating Alexander Nubel in the bottom corner. 

  The Brazilian's effort saw him become the youngest South American player to score on his Champions League debut, aged 18 years and 58 days.

  Endrick is also the youngest to score on his Los Blancos debut in the competition, overtaking Javier Portillo in 2002 (19 years, 355 days).

  "He is able to do things that no-one can think of," Ancelotti said. 

  "He has the gift that strikers dream of, the gift of being very effective, decisive.

  "You can see that he has something special, something I have never seen. And he has such a strong and very fast shooting.

  "Endrick had courage because it was the last ball of the game.

  "The best solution was to take advantage of the three against one, with Vinicius and Rodrygo open in the wings, but he did it very well, even though it was perhaps the most complicated solution."

  But the reigning champions did not have it all their own way at the Santiago Bernabeu, with their German opposition creating several opportunities on the night. 

  Stuttgart ended the match with 17 shots, seven of which were on target, while also producing an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.94 compared to Madrid's 2.61. 

  However, they were thwarted by the hands of Thibaut Courtois, with the Belgian making six saves throughout the contest. 

  Ancelotti was pleased with his side's start to the defence of their European crown, but said improvements were needed if they were to secure a 16th Champions League title. 

  "If anyone thinks that winning games is easy, they are wrong," Ancelotti said. 

  “I have coached more than 200 games in the Champions League and I can't remember a game without suffering.

  "Nobody knows better than Real Madrid what it's like to win a Champions League with suffering.

  "We are still trying to find our best version. It's a work in progress." 

• AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool: Reds recover from early scare for winning start

  Liverpool celebrated their return to the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at San Siro on Tuesday, overcoming a shaky start for a comfortable triumph.

  The Reds got off to an awful start when Christian Pulisic finished Milan's deadly counter-attack in the third minute, aided by Liverpool's disorganised defending on their return to the competition after a year's absence.

  Arne Slot's side turned things around, however, as Ibrahima Konate equalised in the 23rd minute when he leapt high above a crowd of defenders to head in Trent Alexander-Arnold's free kick.

  Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool ahead after nodding home Kostas Tsimikas' corner prior to the break before Dominik Szoboszlai sealed victory in the 67th minute, slotting into the far corner from Cody Gakpo's cross after Milan gave up possession.

  Slot's first Champions League game at the helm of Liverpool ended in deserved victory, and it was a terrific response from his team after their shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

  Data Debrief: Defensive delight for Reds

  With Konate and Van Dijk both on target, Liverpool had two defenders score in the same Champions League game for the first time.

  It marked a fitting way for Van Dijk to celebrate a landmark appearance, becoming just the third Dutch player to score on his 50th outing in the competition, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay (both in 2005).

  Alexander-Arnold's assist for Liverpool's equaliser was also his 80th for the Reds. Since his debut in October 2016, only Kevin De Bruyne (146) and team-mate Mohamed Salah (90) have provided more in all competitions among Premier League players.

  Those defensive performances at the other end of the pitch helped Liverpool to a fifth win in their last six away games against Italian sides in all competitions (L1), having won just three of their first 14 such visits (D3 L8).

• Slot delighted by birthday treat after Liverpool's Champions League recovery

  Arne Slot hailed Liverpool's recovery powers as the Reds marked their manager's birthday with a battling Champions League victory over AC Milan.

  Liverpool's return to the competition after a one-year absence got off to a terrible start as Christian Pulisic fired home just three minutes into Tuesday's clash at San Siro.

  Ibrahima Konate swiftly restored parity with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick before Virgil van Dijk marked his 50th appearance in the Champions League with a first-half finish.

  Dominik Szoboszlai made sure of the opening-game win after the break as Milan capitulated to a 3-1 defeat in front of their disappointed home supporters.

  Victory ensured Slot celebrated his 46th birthday in style, overseeing three points in his first European game in charge of his new club.

  "A great way to spend my birthday," the Dutchman said on Amazon Prime.

  "We have more than 11 players and the ones that came in did well. You wouldn't have said this after five minutes, but after we did well."

  Liverpool were rocked by an early-season Premier League blow on Saturday, falling down 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield in a shock result.

  Former Feyenoord boss Slot was delighted with the reaction as Liverpool made it five wins in their last six away games in Italy in the Champions League.

  "Losing Saturday was a blow and to be 1-0 down early here, you are wondering how we react," Slot added.

  "But if you can play so good it is – I won't say a disgrace – unbelievable you lose to Forest at home if you can play like this [at Milan]."

  Van Dijk became just the third Dutch player to score on his 50th appearance in the competition, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay (both in 2005).

  The Liverpool captain lauded his side's ability to bounce back in what was billed as a battle between two European heavyweights, having shared memorable Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007.

  "Obviously I am very pleased with the win and I am pleased with the way we bounced back after a difficult start," Van Dijk told Sky Italy.

  "When there is a set-piece we try to be important. The delivery was outstanding in my opinion. I am very pleased that we won and we limited them to only two big chances.

  "We have been very successful over the years and I am always grateful for that. Things have moved on, the new manager is here and he has principles that are different.

  "We are working on things and there are still things to improve."