Crónica Benzema, a beacon under Chelsea's football storm
Direct Narration and statistics
If all goes well, which is saying a lot in this strange time of pandemic,
Real Madrid
played their last European game at the
Alfredo Di Stéfano
. The Madrid sports city has lived up the roller coaster that
Zidane's
team has been
in the continental tournament. He got off to a bad start, falling to
Shakhtar
, but recovered to beat
Inter
and
Mönchengladbach
and host Atalanta in the round of 16. The superiority against the Italians and against Liverpool was not repeated against Chelsea in the first leg of a historic semi-final,
the fourth for Zidane
and the
ninth in eleven seasons
for the whole of Chamartín. Di Stéfano's Madrid added one less semifinal, 8 in 11 courses between 55-56 and 65-66, but six titles, the last one already without 'La Saeta'.
The regularity of this decade is marked by a
backbone
in which pieces have been entering and leaving and only
Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Benzema and Marcelo
remain
. The Brazilian suffered tonight. In autumn reality passed him by, he started in the defeat against Shakhtar, his only match in the current Champions League, and he disappeared from the line-ups until in recent weeks he has returned as an emergency lace. Against Chelsea, he recovered that relationship he has with the European Cup:
99 games
, a goal in the 2014 final, assistance in 2017 and two goals in 2018. He was a substitute in the round of 16 against Ajax in 2019 and against City last year, so
their last appearance in a continental knockout round dates back to 3-1 in Kiev
. A time that took its toll.
After
Benzema's 1-1
, who gave directions to
Vinicius
, the full-
back talked for half a minute with Zidane
.
Most of the visiting attacks came from his wing and the coach was desperate.
Conversation ended and mutual assent, Marcelo
continued and suffered the rhythm of the tournament until minute 76
.
"In the first 45 minutes
we started with a proposal that did not come out.
We
did not choose the rhythm of the game
, we have to adapt to what we have. We are fine and we are calm,
"
admitted the Brazilian after the game.
"We are more than 25 players and
we are all here to help
, we all work.
We went out with our heads up. "
Zidane's talks
The exchange of words with the defender was
Zidane's second long talk in the game
.
The first had come after
Pulisic's 0-1
.
The Gaul put his hand to his head and turned to look at the bench.
There was
Bettoni
, who got up and debated with him for a long minute.
Gestures with the hands indicating areas of the field, shrugged shoulders of the assistant and a final order to
Modric
.
«
Anticipate!
Strong until the end
! ”, The coach could be heard under the dense storm.
In the stands,
Sergio Ramos
acted as captain: «Trust!
Up! ”He repeated throughout the crash.
The Andalusian praised
Militao
especially
, cheered by those present after several defensive actions.
"
Fuck him
!", Encouraged the Brazilian, turned into leader of the defense.
For the second half, after
Ramos and Lucas
took advantage of the break to speak with several managers, a new
Zidane-Bettoni arrived
.
They both stood talking for a minute until a name came from the assistant: "
Eden
!"
Hazard was Madrid's first change.
Asensio and Odriozola
also entered
, to which
Benzema and Casemiro
asked for calm several times.
Zidane sat Karim in 1990, but not before saying something in his ear.
In a week, the unknown (for Madrid)
Stamford Bridge
.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Marcelo
Eden Hazard
Champions League
Real Madrid
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Champions League 2020 - 2021 Fede Valverde will travel to Liverpool, Zidane calls Marvin Park and Hazard is still out
Champions League 2020 - 2021 Modric: "Nothing that is said outside can stain our history"
See links of interest
2021 business calendar
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