Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admits they weren't at their best for Wedneday's 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig.
The result sees Real reach the Champions League quarterfinals 2-1 on aggregate.
Ancelotti said: “We had to dig deep, more than we thought we might have to. It was difficult and we played badly. Now we're pleased to reach the quarter-finals. We're in a better position than ever because we're seven points clear in the league and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. If I'd been told this at the beginning of the season, I'd have taken it.
“We have to be critical because it has happened again. When we have a small lead we don't know how to handle it mentally. We don't press and we lack intensity. Maybe I made a mistake in the line-up, but I wanted to bring more intensity and energy, and we didn't do that. That's where we have to improve and evaluate what we didn't do well.
Vinicius Jr had Real ahead before a late Will Orban goal set up a nervous finish.
“My idea was to put the midfielders in with energy to press high up, maintain a high tempo and prevent counter-attacks. It was a weak performance, with a low block and we weren't able to press high. It was a tough game, we couldn't handle this kind of advantage as we did last season against Liverpool. It also happened to me in my first season against Schalke when we won the first leg 0-2 and lost the second leg 3-4. We have to prepare for the games in a different way.
“We have to accept criticism when it is deserved and today's criticism is deserved. The whistles at the end of the first half were deserved and I think they woke us up. We played better in the second half. You need to have a demanding crowd like the one at the Bernabéu because the whistles woke us up at certain times in the second half. Although we're pleased to reach the quarter-finals, we have to be critical and we should've played better. I wouldn't play the same eleven.
“Our fans always help and support us. We've had spectacular and historic nights in this stadium. Today wasn't a good night in some respects, but now we have another quarter-final at the Bernabéu and the atmosphere is definitely going to be spectacular."
