Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side were "fortunate" to advance to the Champions League semifinals after a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. #INSERT type:image caption:Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid improved in the second half. END#
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Los Blancos squeaked through to the last four by a 3-2 aggregate score.
"We're happy to reach the semis, but not happy as we suffered a lot," Ancelotti said. "Especially in the first half. We opened the tie up again.
"We were better in the second half. Football is like that, we gave away gifts, lots of errors, no confidence, and we suffered because of it."
Ancelotti praised his goalkeeper after Iker Casillas made key stops on shots from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Kevin Grosskreutz in the closing moments.
"Casillas made fantastic saves in important moments of game. His game was very, very good," Ancelotti said.
The first half was particular trying for Real, who comitted two key unforced errors.
First, Angel Di Maria slipped and had his penalty attempt saved.
Real fell behind on a blunder from Pepe, whose attempted back header was pounced on by Marco Reus, who nipped it past Casillas.
The Spanish goalkeeper agreed that Real made it hard on themselves on Tuesday.
"We suffered more than we should have," he said. "The goals were from our mistakes. At 2-0 down and with a missed penalty a lot goes through your head."
Sergio Ramas said Real will need time to correct their mistakes, but the club is unconcerned with who their opponents will be in the next round.
"We're not worried about who we play now, Ramos said. "To win the Champions League you have to beat the best."