That night when Bayern were robbed at the Santiago Bernabéu
Absorbing, controversial, riveting!
Attack and defense of the highest order. I was surprised it was still goalless at the end of the first half. Such was the class. What entertainment!
Real Madrid have progressed to the UCL semi-final for the 7th year running. Bayern didn’t deserve to be knocked out. They’ll be seething all the way back to Munich. The Bavarian giants had the Los Blancos on the back foot. The red card changed the tie.
No, the ref killed it.
Shame.
Video Technology, please!
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Seriously ref, what were you thinking. It was a terrible night of officiating. I guess we should have seen it coming when that laughable goal kick was awarded to Manuel Neur. Ronaldo’s offside goal, the wrong call on Lewandowski’s run, Vidal’s harsh send off, Casemiro’ s reprieve. Such mistakes cannot happen. Period. The game served a timely reminder on the need to embrace technology.
We had thought of everything going into this game — except the referee . I had never been in favour of video technology, but I must admit it’s necessary now — Carlo Ancelotti
I feel you Carlo, we all do.
5 Star defense
6 goals, 45 shots on target. I guess we should expect that from two teams that are known for their attacking pedigree. But the defense stood tall. The players were throwing their bodies at the ball. It was old school, it was effective. Some of the interceptions were a treated to watch. The defenders were power performers.
Club 100
Of late, we’ve seen the new and matured Cristiano Ronaldo. Last night, it was the old and selfish CR7. But it worked. A hat trick for his 100 Champions League goals. The man is a relentless machine. 5 goals in two games against one of the premier teams in club football. So much for the talk of him going under the radar against the big boys.
Marcelo, Marcelo, Marcelo!
The Brazilian was exceptional. He made some great runs into the final third. The cream was his set up for Ronaldo’s third of the night. Marcelo made that marauding run in the 110th minute. He’s a left back for crying out loud!
Thank you Philipp, Thank you Xabi
Two of the greatest to have graced the game will hang up their boots at the end of the season. Philipp Lahm won the UCL in 2013. Xabi Alonso did the double with Madrid and that night in Istanbul for Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. Lats night was their final appearance in the Europe’s pedigree competition. What a shame for it to end the way it did.
Tell me again, why are they retiring?!
Carlo and Zizou
It was poetic to see Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane stand at different dugouts. A few years back, the master and the apprentice guided Real Madrid to La Decima. No manager has won the competition more times than Carlo Ancelotti. Can Zidane be the first man to defend the UEFA Champions League?
