Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable 3-0
victory at the Bernabeu yesterday with no whatsoever exertions of their rich
resources against Turkish side Galatasaray in the last eight
of the Champions League. The clash not only pitted ex-Chelsea and
ex-Internazionale hero’s Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder respectively against their former
nurturer Jose Mourinho, but also promised to showcase a tight
battle between the ever eccentric Mourinho and Fatih Terim.
18YB here discusses the highly anticipated clash which turned out to be a strong performance from the Champions elect, apart from the certainty of a semi-final appearance for the third season running.
The match in reality turned out to be a bit too
one sided with Madrid storming through Galatasaray’s defense from the word go. The
defending La Liga champions started the game in their familiar 4-2-3-1
formation with Ronaldo, Ozil and Di Maria making the cut expectedly behind
Frenchman Karim Benzema. One surprise, although, was the inclusion of Michael Essien
at right back, instead of Spanish international Alvaro Arbeloa, who made the
bench despite lacking match fitness after his return from injury.
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| Mourinho and Terim squared off at the Bernabeu in a last eight Champions League clash |
The Ghanian, who has lost a yard of pace in
recent years due to the recurring knee injuries, was a certain player to watch
out for as he was pitted against their opponent’s captain and the creative Selcuk
Inan.
Galatasaray, on the other hand started in an
attacking 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Wesley Sneijder playing just behind the two
strikers in the hole of the diamond in the midfield. Didier Drogba and Burak
Yilmaz, the top scorer until before the match along with Cristiano Ronaldo,
started the game leading the charge for the defending Süper Lig Champions in this highly anticipated clash.
The game started with Madrid on the front foot,
stringing together quality passes with Xabi Alonso at the heart of them all. It
all paid off almost immediately, as Mesut Ozil put talisman Cristiano Ronaldo
through on goal with a well weighted pass, and he duly obliged with a rather
exquisite chip to net the first of the night.
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| Ronaldo celebrates his 9th minute opener with team mates |
Galatasaray almost immediately responded with Ivory
Coast international Drogba leading the attack from the front as he powerfully turned away from
the inexperienced Varane, but just shot over from the edge of the box, where as
he could have taken a touch or two and equalized, which could have been a
precious away goal for the Turks.
Madrid further tested custodian Muslera with
a shot from Ozil, while Di Maria enjoyed some space down the right hand side.
Galatasaray on the other hand created some half chances and could have had a goal
for their efforts had they been more clinical.
Overall, the Madrid midfield was certainly
gaining an upper hand over their European counterparts despite Fatih Terim’s
converting to a more defensive 4-3-3 when they lost the possession in the first
half. Hamit Altintop was the most creative of them all as he passed the ball well,
along with Inan on the left as they got the better of Khedira and Alonso in the
centre of the park occasionally. Dutchman Sneijder though, was rather wasteful
in possession as he failed to create any substantial opportunity in attack, and
was aptly replaced at half time.
| Galatasaray captain Selcuk Inan worked hard for the visitors but couldn't have the impact he would have hoped for |
Madrid deservedly lead 2-0 at half time, having
got the second through a brilliant finish from Karim Benzema, who did well to
control a high cross from Michael Essien from the right wing. The second half
was pretty much an extension of the first as the visitors continued their lackluster
display, while Madrid slowed down the tempo and looked content to get to the 90
minute mark with 2-0 advantage to take to the Turk Telekom Arena.
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| Drogba could have got that precious away goal for his side had he been a bit more clinical |
Terim’s side though, continued to foray forward
as at 2-0 they still had hopes of staying in the tie by bagging an away goal.
Drogba, in particular was a trouble for the Madrid defense throughout, although
he looked out of sorts as far as his finishing was concerned.
Credit to Madrid though, as the players stayed focused and kept the defense compact, which only allowed their attacks to initiate without any real penetration. Mourinho's side continued to attack occasionally though, albeit cautiously, without committing too many men forward as they very well knew an away goal for their opponents would spring the tie back in contention. A patient Madrid was at showcase and a third goal always looked like arriving with such a potent and efficient attacking line up at hand. It duly arrived when substitute Higuain headed home from a Xabi Alonso free kick in the 73rd minute, which all but wrapped up the tie.
Credit to Madrid though, as the players stayed focused and kept the defense compact, which only allowed their attacks to initiate without any real penetration. Mourinho's side continued to attack occasionally though, albeit cautiously, without committing too many men forward as they very well knew an away goal for their opponents would spring the tie back in contention. A patient Madrid was at showcase and a third goal always looked like arriving with such a potent and efficient attacking line up at hand. It duly arrived when substitute Higuain headed home from a Xabi Alonso free kick in the 73rd minute, which all but wrapped up the tie.
The Spanish side remained in complete control from then on and made sure that the second leg remains a comparatively easy task for Jose Mourinho's men.
As far as the Turkish side's coach Fatih Tarim is concerned, he needs a certain miracle to reach the top four, requiring some imposing play in the middle coupled with clinical finishing at the top.
Written by,
Aman Arora
Aman writes for Goal India and 18YB
Follow Aman at @aman_ghs
Follow 18YB at @18YB06
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