Sometimes it seems like the UEFA Champions League is Real Madrid’s festival and everyone else is invited, unwanted or not.
In fact, RB Leipzig can be forgiven for feeling this way. After 180 minutes of being the better team, their round of 16 ended with a 2-1 aggregate win for Los Blancos after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw. The Santiago Bernabéu breathed a deep sigh of relief; Luka Modric applauded quietly in the stands, like a veteran with dozens of successful Champions League knockout games. A task well done: a place in the quarter-finals for the 39th time, a record.
The visiting players looked like they had experienced a completely different game. Xavi Simons was holding back tears, while Leipzig’s 20-year-old rising Dutch star was clearly heartbroken that he had not had the chance to showcase his talent in the round of 16. Dani Olmo still stood, shaking his head, perhaps still wondering how his audacious lob from a corner in the 94th minute had uncovered the crossbar more sensitive than Andriy Lunin’s net, one of 20 shots they controlled at the home of the 14-time European champions. .
But that’s what it’s like to play against Real Madrid in this competition. While other groups weaken under the pressure of the world’s biggest club tournament, Los Blancos settle for it, thrive and take ownership of it. Even when they are far from their best, as was the case here, no one panics; No one thinks that an upheaval is coming. It usually takes a very big team – Manchester City, who won three times last season, for example – to get them out of that sense of superiority.
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Compositions:
Real Madrid (4-3-2-1, left to right): 13. Andriy Lunin (GK) – 2. Dani Carvajal, 22. Antonio Rudiger, 6. Nacho, 23. Ferland Mendy – 18. Aurélien Tchouameni, 8. Toni Kroos (10. Luka Modric, 78′), 12. Eduardo Camavinga (11. Rodrygo, 46′) — 15. Federico Valverde, 5. Jude Bellingham (14. Joselu, 85′) — 7. Vinicius Jr.
RB Leipzig (4-2-2-2, left to right): 1. Peter Gulacsi (GK) – 39. Benjamin Henrichs, 4. Willi Orban, 23. Castello Lukeba, 22. David Raum – 24. Xaver Schlager (6Array Elif Elmas, 85′), 8. Amadou Haidara (44. Kevin Kampl, 90′) — 20. Xavi Simons, 7. Dani Olmo — 17. Lois Openda (9. Yussuf Poulsen, 77′), 30. Benjamin Sesko ( 14. Christoph Baumgartner, 85′).
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Leipzig did indeed try, betting aggressively and definitely from the start. Lois Openda summed up his functionality well: the striker a little too tense, without a presentable left-footed chance just inside the box in the first half and taking too many touches. At the beginning of the moment, after Lunin misjudged a ball via.
Madrid seemed to be in full swing, unable to give their best, even with Jude Bellingham back in the No. 10 spot. The England star enjoyed a quiet first half, with Leipzig accompanying him superbly as they maintained their 4-2-2 formation with and without the ball, final through the central area in which Bellingham thrives so much.
And yet, obviously, Bellingham scored the goal. Toni Kroos predicted a pass and intercepted the ball on the edge of the Madrid area, and the break began. Bellingham burst from one side to the other, The Unstoppable Juggernaut broke through the blue barrier and stood 18 meters from the goal. On his way, Bellingham made a better pass and the Brazilian smashed it into the net. It’s a remarkable and unforgiving quality.
Leipzig responded by launching an attack from the restart. Madrid cleared their lines, but the ball came back and captain Willi Orban responded with a brilliant header from David Raum’s cross from the left.
But did anyone see a comeback coming? Despite Leipzig advancing wildly, striker Joselu panically cleared from inside his own box in the wrong direction, Olmo took the ball to his chest and sent it back into the goal and over the bar, you couldn’t get rid of it. An air of inevitability.
It’s competition from Real Madrid. And while tonight was disappointing at times, you know it’s going to take something special to avoid that.
USA. USA:
What’s a star-studded combination like? Jude Bellingham and Vini Jr prepare for a counter-clinic ? pic. twitter. com/crfN4fjChK
USA. USA:
RB Leipzig simply don’t need to disappear ?Willi Orbán stuns the Santiago Bernabeu ?pic. twitter. com/oJutpIFCBl
Canada:
Vinicius Jr. crowns an excellent run and lends a hand to Jude Bellingham ?? Watch the #UCL live on DAZN pic. twitter. com/iG5jq2kj7c
Canada:
Orban regains Leipzig ?? IMMEDIATELY Watch the #UCL on DAZN pic. twitter. com/pdxSZs9Pvx
Australia:
A first-class tally sees Real Madrid double their lead in total ? ↳ UCL Round of 16. Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig, live now. All matches, on Stan Sport. Exclusive and ad-free. Live and on-demand. #StanSportAU #UCL #RMARBL pic. twitter. com/tVW5VzQbiS
Australia:
RB Leipzig responded without delay and played ? back ↳ UCL Round of 16. Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig, live now. All games, only on Stan Sport. Exclusive and ad-free. Live and on-demand. #StanSportAU #UCL #RMARBL pic. twitter. com/fHylLwesqy
UNITED KINGDOM:
A very good finish from Vinicius Junior to put Real Madrid in the lead! ? #UCL pic. twitter. com/3vrEodZTiB
UNITED KINGDOM:
GAME ON! Orban equalized for RB Leipzig, losing to one. #UCL pic. twitter. com/Rl1PGZg094
Jude Bellingham will be available for Real Madrid but will serve a one-match suspension against Celta Vigo this weekend following his overdue red card in the debatable 2-2 La Liga draw against Valencia.
Ancelotti has refreshed his hosts as they look to split the team into two competitions, bringing Aurélien Tchouameni back into midfield and restoring Nacho in the back four.
Real Madrid XI (4-3-2-1 from left to right): Lunin (Goalkeeper) – Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy – Tchouameni, Kroos, Camavinga – Valverde, Bellingham – Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid substitutes: Kepa, Fran, Modric, Rodrygo, Joselu, Vázquez, Ceballos, Fran García, Brahim Díaz, Arda Guler
Defender Lukas Klostermann remained absent from RB Leipzig, and Mohammed Simakan served a suspension for accumulating yellow cards. Amadou Haidara returned to midfield.
RB Leipzig predicted the XI (4-2-2-2 from left to right): Gulacsi (GK) – Henrichs, Orban, Lukeba, Raum – Schlager, Haidara – Simons, Olmo – Openda, Sesko.
RB Leipzig substitutes: Blaswich, Zingerle, Lenz, Bitshiabu, Elmas, Poulsen, Seiwald, Baumgartner, Jatta, Kampl
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