Real Madrid wanted to drag off a sequence of comebacks to win its record-extending 14th European Cup final 12 months. This time round, it’s making it look simple.
Madrid took an enormous step towards reaching the Champions League’s ultimate 4 on Wednesday when it convincingly beat Chelsea 2-0 within the first leg of their quarterfinal. That got here after it crushed Liverpool 6-2 on mixture within the spherical of 16.
The win over Frank Lampard’s facet set Madrid heading in the right direction for what would doubtless be a semifinal rematch from final season in opposition to Manchester City, which beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in its first assembly on Tuesday.
But first, Madrid should play a sport within the Spanish league the place its best ambition is solely a runner-up end, with Barcelona main the desk by a full 13 factors with 10 rounds remaining.
Madrid visits Cadiz on Saturday with solely two factors separating it from crosstown rival Atletico Madrid in third.
After falling out of competition for the league title and ending final in its Champions League group early within the season, Atletico has immediately turn out to be the most popular staff in Spain despite the fact that it has no likelihood of profitable a trophy. It is undefeated in 12 straight rounds and can search a sixth straight victory when it faces Almeria on Sunday.
Finishing second or third is solely a query of honor since a top-four end is sufficient to earn a Champions League berth for the approaching season, however Atletico would certainly savor beating out its prime rival.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, nonetheless, will likely be tempted to relaxation a few of his prime gamers at Cadiz, together with veterans Luka Modric (37), Karim Benzema (35), and Toni Kroos (33), with the journey to Stamford Bridge for Madrid’s second sport in opposition to Chelsea set for Tuesday.
Madrid misplaced 3-2 at residence to Villarreal within the final spherical when Ancelotti left Modric, Kroos and different first-choice gamers on the bench firstly, whereas taking part in Benzema for under the primary hour.
After the loss, Ancelotto mentioned his staff lacked “motivation” with the league title already out of attain.
The one participant who appears to by no means tire for Ancelotti is Vinícius Júnior. The 22-year-old Brazil ahead performed the total 90 minutes in opposition to each Villarreal and Chelsea. He was his staff’s prime performer in each video games, scoring in opposition to Villarreal and contributing to the 2 objectives in opposition to Chelsea.
Vinícius has turn out to be Madrid’s most harmful participant in assault due to what he gives in scoring (21 objectives total) and passing, in addition to the panic his high-speed dribbling provokes in defenders.
The winger, who scored the one purpose in Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool in final 12 months’s European ultimate, is aware of that his staff has each motivation to present it their all in Europe.
“Every player who pulls on this jersey know that playing in the Champions League is special at this club, especially at the (Santiago) Bernabeu when the fans get right up for it,” he mentioned after the win over Chelsea. “At Madrid, you have to play with that desire in the Champions League.”
Madrid will even play within the Copa del Rey ultimate in opposition to Osasuna on May 6.
Cadiz is in 14th place, 4 factors from the relegation zone.
ONE MORE STEP
Barcelona visits Getafe in Spain’s capital on Sunday after being held 0-0 by Girona within the final spherical because it closes in on its first league title since 2019.
Only a meltdown of historic proportions by Xavi Hernández’s staff may give Madrid an opportunity to repeat as Spanish champions.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com