“Night of the Life” contracts for Lucas, Nacho, Rudiger… and Lunin.
ANDl Madrid Last summer he invested 100 million in Bellingham to give his team a quantum leap so they could compete head-to-head in the stadium they put four of you in to kick you out of the Champions League. His control at 0-1 confirmed the decision, although the real difference was made by Ancelotti and four players no one had counted on. This time Madrid did not lose. The whites had a clear map of the route, and they followed it to the millimeter. Hunt one down and protect it. They thus forced extra time and went to penalties, signing a defensive exercise that would go down in Real Madrid history. Apart from the first 15 minutes of the game, the rest was a great strike that Simeone would have signed. White fans should never criticize the Atlético manager’s approach. Because the main thing is to win, which was demonstrated once again. If he plays well, so much the better. But the opponents, the magnificent City, deserved a different plan. And Ancelotti understood this perfectly.
Manchester City – Real Madrid 1–1 (3–4): results and goals | Champions League (Quarter-finals, second legs)
Next, we are talking about fines. Eternal glory to Lucas and Nacho, natural Real Madrid fans who have left behind them a history of 14 European Cups. For Lunin, who saved two penalties and withstood the historic siege. And then there’s Rudiger, who grabbed his teammates and told them he’d taken the final penalty. And he did it. They say he’s crazy, but in reality he’s a leader, a captain without a bandage.
It was a historic penalty shootout between Madrid and City: Lunin’s saves were decisive
First Rüdiger failed, and then…
The German’s only mistake all season came at the most inopportune moment. After impressive defensive performances in the first leg and the first 75 minutes of the return leg, Rüdiger failed to clear the ball and left the ball dead for De Bruyne to make it 1-1. A technical error, not tactical or blatant, but one that gave life to City when they began to show signs of desperation. Because until this minute, Madrid had played an outstanding defensive game, once again nullifying Haaland along with Nacho. Because this time the Norwegian tried to avoid him all the time.
He would get it later in extra time, but his shot on the edge of the six-yard box went wide. It fell to the left, if only to the right… But he did not give up and decided to take the fifth penalty. The captain is without a bandage.
Honor to Lunin
The Ukrainian goalkeeper performed on the shoulders of the Etihad. Lunin played his best game for Real Madrid. He withstood an endless siege from Manchester City, who launched 18 corners full of poison, all closed, into the heart of a small territory… City attacked from land, sea and air, and Lunin behaved like Courtois. Pep couldn’t do anything about the team’s goal. His night deserved glory, and he achieved it by saving two penalties…
De Bruyne again
He took Real Madrid’s measure. Last season he scored a vital goal at the Bernabeu and this year he saved his team with a goal, finishing like the angels after Rudiger’s rebound. There’s a reason he’s Guardiola’s right eye.
De Bruyne was one of the few City players who never looked desperate. He always wanted the ball and always moved it skillfully, patiently waiting for the moment to destroy Madrid.
De Bruyne’s goal (1-1) in the match Manchester City – Real Madrid 1-1 (3-4)
Great game from Vinicius.
The Brazilian played as a central striker and excelled. He did everything well, although his mission on the ground was completely different from what he was used to. Vini played with his back, knocked down balls, defended them and always found a partner. Together with Bellingham, he played 0:1 and was the only player who gave Madrid oxygen in attack. The defense was also empty.
Holland still doesn’t fall in love with Madrid
The Norwegian again played a gray game against a white team, which took its measure. He increased his production from the first match, but was not ok and made more bad moves than good ones. He hit the crossbar with his header, the only shot he beat the centre-backs, but other than that… little else. What would it have been like if Guardiola had sent him off at the end of the game, at the start of extra time?
Zidane was in control of Bellingham at 0-1.
The game in which Real Madrid scored began with a delicate touch from Jude Bellingham, who knocked the ball out of the sky with Zidanze-like control. With the ball in control, he turned to help Vinicius, who was already flying down the flank. His first half was really good, but in the end he failed in his own zone, like the rest of the team. His quality, of course, may have merited a different approach to the game, but he adapted to what the coach asked of him. He missed the penalty kick.