Real Madrid are on the verge of another round of 16 exit in the Champions League with an absolutely disappointing 0 – 1 loss at the Stade Gerland against an energetic Olympique Lyonnais side. iSporter Karan Shah analyses their second worst performance after the ‘Alcorcongate’ debacle.
Florentino’s boys came into the match knowing a vital away goal would make their journey much more easier and Manuel Pelligrini started with Casillas in goal and Ramos, Albiol, Arbeloa and Marcelo in defense. Xabi, Diarra Kaka and Granero partnered in midfield and Higuain and Ronaldo completed the attack. Lyon came into the match with quite a few injuries and they, atleast on paper, didn’t look like the force they used to be before. The match started at a high intensity and Madrid looked out of sorts in a sub degree temperature stadium.
The hosts started off extremely well and were looking dangerous on the attack quite the opposite to Los Blancos who looked absolutely ragged. All those weeks of amazing displays against lesser known opponents that instilled the confidence in this newly formed Madrid side disappeared as they faced an experienced French side who had come with their homework done.
Sidney Govou taught Marcelo a defensive lesson he should never forget if he ever wants to emulate the Legendary Brazilian Roberto Carlos. Govou tormented Marcelo with his dangerous runs for the entire first period of the match and Madrid looked looked like a third division side instead of being nine time European Champions. Ronaldo was the only bright spark in the XI as he made his darting runs and flicks however, it seemed that he too wasn’t playing at his usual pace.
Lyon pounded Casillas goal with shots and headers that just flew wide. They had signaled to the Spanish side that all they would be content with would be a win. Madrid didn’t take the warning and played terrible football with Kaka looking nowhere close to his usual self and Higuain barely touching the ball. The first half ended 0 – 0 and MP substituted Marcelo for Garay to plug the hole in the defense. That didn’t really help Los Merengues as they immediately fell behind with a superb bending ball by Makoun that found the back of the net.
Lisandro looked extremely dangerous in attack and it was a shame that he didn’t find himself on the score sheet. Benzema came on for Higuain with thirty minutes left and he looked like a bright spark as he took on defenders however individual talent wasn’t enough to get that vital away goal. The match faded as the White’s faded in their performance and it looked that they were lucky to lose by only one goal.
The beautiful thing about Champions League football is the losing team gets another chance to rectify its mistakes, figure out the faults and come out stronger in the second leg. Madrid have a chance to overturn the deficit and if they want to break the Champions League jinx, a vast improvement is needed when the two teams meet again in two weeks time.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
