Real Madrid defeated Manchester 3-2 in a Champions League classic on Tuesday at the Bernabeu in Madrid.
- Madrid dominated the first half. Though the first forty-five minutes were scoreless, it could have been 4-0.
- Joe Hart was incredible in goal. His saves off of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain were sensational.
- Jose Mourinho benched Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil to start the game. He went with Michael Essien instead. I can't remember the last time I saw Madrid start a game without Ramos on the field.
- Ronaldo was legit from the opening minute
- Man City seemed overwhelmed but were fortunate to get into halftime tied. Not starting Mario Balotelli was a huge mistake by Roberto Mancini
- Edin Dzeko broke the deadlock on a counterattack after a great through ball from Yaya Toure. Dzeko beat Iker Casillas to the near post...shocking to say the least
- This goal opened the flood gates.
- Madrid tied it just three minutes later.
- In the 84th minute, Man City took the lead again off of a set piece as Xabi Alonso accidentally deflected a cross by Casillas.
- Though all seemed lost, Madrid came back with two goals in the last five minutes.
- Mourinho substituted Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric onto the field and it paid dividends as Modric was threatening throughout, and Benzema tied the game with a quick turn and shoot from the top of the eighteen yard box.
- in the 89th minute, Ronaldo gave Madrid the lead. His shot wasn't great, but the City defender screened Hart, and he couldn't see it until it was too late. The defender seemed to duck out of the way of the ball, when he should've placed his body/head in front of it.
- Madrid wins 3-2
- Utter disaster for Manchester City. They walk away without points.
- Great response from Madrid after a lackluster start to their season.
By Jeff Graceffo
No comments:
Post a Comment