The recent Champions League matches have presented a stark contrast in Real Madrid's performance. While Kylian Mbappé's masterful display for Paris Saint-Germain left Madrid fans envisioning a brighter future, their own team's lackluster 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig painted a more sobering picture. Despite narrowly advancing to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 aggregate victory, Madrid's tepid showing against Leipzig underscored their need for reinforcements, particularly in attack.
The match against Leipzig showcased Madrid's shortcomings, both in attack and defense. Their lack of creativity and vulnerability at the back were evident throughout the game. Against a more clinical opponent, Madrid's subpar performance might have been punished severely. If they aspire to compete against top-tier teams like Manchester City in the Champions League, a significant improvement is imperative.
Despite the underwhelming team display, one shining light for Madrid was Jude Bellingham. Making his first Champions League knockout appearance for the club, Bellingham provided a moment of brilliance with a well-timed pass to set up VinÃcius Júnior's opening goal. Bellingham's impact has been consistent in Europe this season, having contributed to goals in each of his six Champions League appearances for Madrid, tallying four goals and four assists.
The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu before the match was subdued. With a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Madrid didn't require one of their trademark comebacks; instead, they needed to protect or build upon their advantage. This cautious approach was reflected in Carlo Ancelotti's team selection, opting for a conservative lineup. Bellingham, VinÃcius, and Federico Valverde formed the attacking trio, supported by a midfield trio of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Toni Kroos, and Eduardo Camavinga.
However, Madrid struggled to impose themselves in the first half, with Leipzig creating the better chances. The Bernabeu crowd grew restless, demanding more from their team as they failed to register a shot on target before halftime. Bellingham's deployment as a "false nine" limited Madrid's attacking threat, prompting Ancelotti to make a halftime substitution, bringing on Rodrygo for Camavinga to inject more dynamism into the attack.
Despite an improved performance from Madrid in the second half, Leipzig continued to pose a threat. Bellingham came close to breaking the deadlock with a well-struck shot, only to see it blocked inadvertently by Rodrygo. Moments later, Rodrygo himself tested Leipzig's goalkeeper with a shot on target. However, it was Bellingham's creativity that eventually unlocked the Leipzig defense, as his perfectly timed pass released VinÃcius to score the opening goal.
Madrid's lead was short-lived, as Leipzig quickly equalized through Orban's header from a cross. This setback set the stage for a tense finale, with Madrid clinging onto their narrow lead. Leipzig came close to forcing extra time with Dani Olmo's effort hitting the crossbar in injury time. Ultimately, Madrid secured their spot in the quarterfinals, albeit with a less-than-convincing performance.
However, Madrid's recent form raises concerns. Aside from their emphatic victory over Girona, their performances have been lackluster. With three draws in their last four games and narrow wins in their recent outings, there's a sense that Madrid are not firing on all cylinders. The absence of Bellingham due to suspension exacerbates their woes, leaving VinÃcius in need of additional support in attack.
While the prospect of Mbappé joining Madrid in the summer is exciting, the team could benefit from his magic sooner rather than later. As they aim to compete at the highest level in the Champions League, reinforcements are needed to bolster their squad and address their current deficiencies. Madrid's journey in the Champions League may depend on their ability to strengthen their squad and rediscover their winning form.
FAQs:
How many goals did Ronaldo scored in Real Madrid?
He netted 451 times in 438 competitive appearances with Real Madrid (averaging over a goal a game).
Who is the goal scorer of Real Madrid all time?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the club's greatest goal scorer ever, scoring 451 goals in 438 appearances. He is the only player in Los Blancos history to have scored goals at a rate of more than one goal per game and he won four Champions Leagues as well as four Ballons d'Or during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
How many goals has Messi scored in UCL?
Lionel Messi is the second highest scorer in UEFA Champions League history with 129 goals. He does, however, hold the record of scoring the most goals for a single club in UCL history, with 120 of his 129 goals coming at Barcelona.
Who is the king of the Champions League?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer of all time in the Champions League and UEFA club competition as well as the most prolific in the history of senior international football. What UEFA records does Cristiano Ronaldo hold?
Can Ronaldo score 1,000 goals?
Ronaldo's 857 career goals have been scored at an average of 0.72 per game. Using that strike-rate, he would have to play another 198 matches to get the 143 goals needed to reach 1,000. Ronaldo has played an average of 51 games per year in the past five years.
Is cr7 the highest goal scorer?
But it's Ronaldo who sits above his rival at the top of the all-time scoring table, with his records helping him to overtake Austria-Czech icon Josef Bican.
Who is top scorer of Al Nassr?
The team's success was built around the "Saudi Golden Trio" of Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Herafy and Mohaisn Al-Jam'aan. Majed Ahmed Abdullah is Al Nassr's all-time leader in goals scored and appearances.
