Photo: Real Madrid celebrating “La Decima” (Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid team went from the jaws of defeat to La Decima glory in a 4-1 victory against city rivals Atletico Madrid in the finals of the UEFA Champions League. Atleti lead 1-0 up until the third minute of time added-on when Sergio Ramos rose like a salmon to head home Luka Modric’s corner to send the game into extra-time.
After securing the La Liga title last weekend, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid went into the Champions League final with confidence of securing the biggest trophy in European Football. They were very close to delivering success but ran out of steam and didn’t have that extra bit of fuel to get them over the line. It must be a tough defeat to accept but none-the-less they played a good game.
The match started with Real settling quickly passing the ball around in the first 5 minutes but didn’t make any progress into Atleti’s defense. Diego Costa, a surprise inclusion in Atleti’s first 11, seemed to be moving well after treatment on his hamstring but was replaced by Adrian Lopez after just 9 minutes. The first meaningful attack came from Atleti as Gabi tried to play in Adrian Lopez but Real custodian Iker Casillas came off his line to clear the danger on 15 minutes.
The first 20 minutes saw Atleti stiffling their bitter rivals in the middle of the park and in wide positions with their brilliant pressing of the ball and their ability to defend in numbers as well as plugging the gaps. Gareth Bale missed a wonderful opportunity on 32 minutes after he intercepted a pass from Tiago but he miscued his shot from inside the penalty area.
Atleti took the lead on 37 minutes through Diego Godin. Gabi’s corner was cleared but headed back into the box by Tiago and Godin out-jumped Sami Khedira to head the ball over Casillas who was caught off his line. From this point on to half time, Atleti had a spring in their step and was first to every loose ball showing more desire and determination.
The secong half started with Simeone’s men pushing forward looking to extend their lead but failed to call Casillas into any serious action. Ronaldo had the opportunity from one of his trademark free kicks but Thibaut Courtois made his first real save pushing his shot over the bar after 54 minutes. Eight minutes later Ramos delivered a teasing cross but Ronaldo couldn’t reach it with his leap and it also caught Karim Benzema on his heels.
Atleti was now dropping back further on the defense which finally allowed Modric time and space on the ball to work his magic but Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema couldn’t find the quality in and around the penalty area. Angel Di Maria was looking the most likely to make something happen with his amazing runs and his final pass always seemed dangerous.
Bale wasted another chance on 78 minutes when he used his pace to get the better of Felipe Luis but again he dragged his shot wide. On 85th minutes Joao Miranda made an outstanding defensive header to deny Bale from a terrific Di Maria cross. The 90th minute came with Real trailing 1-0 but they finally equalized in the third minute of added time.
Modric’s cross found the head of Ramos who rose and placed his header perfectly into the far corner. It was the perfect time for the Galacticos to score as Atleti looked tired and leggy so extra time would give them the chance of scoring using the pace of Ronaldo and Bale even though they had been poor all night.
The first 15 minutes period saw very little action except for an straight forward save for Courtois from a shot by Modric. In the second 15 minutes, Real struck early on 110 minutes. Di Maria made an excellent run down the left past two Atleti players and his shot was saved by Courtois but deflected into Bale’s path who headed the ball into an empty.
At this point the match seemed to have been won but Atleti started to play long balls into Real’s box and a big chance fell to Adrian Lopez on 113 minutes but his shot went just over the bar. Marcelo then put the game to bed on 118 minutes when his shot from just outside the box squeezed under Courtois’s out-stretched left hand to make it 3-1.
Ronaldo put the icing on the cake from the penalty spot on 120 minutes. The Portuguese was brought down by a tired Godin and slotted his penalty calmy past Courtois to seal a 4-1 victory. The scoreline was flattering and did not reflect the nature of the game in any way. The game ended with Real Madrid finally delivering the reality of “La Decima”.
Yashiema Love
Senior Contributor
GIVEMESPORT Writing Academy
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