Wednesday 22 April 2015 23:52, UK
We pick out the talking points from an absorbing Madrid derby in the Champions League as Javier Hernandez's late goal saw Real Madrid progress 1-0 on aggregate.
From Atletico’s brilliant defensive work in the early stages and the questions that it raises about their approach, to the contributions of Hernandez and Cristiano Ronaldo, there were more stories than goals in the Bernabeu.
Here are some of the topics for debate from the latest tussle between the rivals from the Spanish capital…
Atletico come to defend
“They get down and dirty better than anyone else,” Graeme Souness told Sky Sports beforehand and Atletico certainly showed their combative side in the Bernabeu. The visiting strikers Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic worked hard to get behind the ball and close down as Diego Simeone’s side set their stall out early on. “Strikers normally have bonuses for goals but those two might be the only ones in Europe who have bonuses for a clean sheet,” said Jamie Carragher.
Atletico showed again why they’re such a difficult team to beat. Perhaps the only question mark was whether the demands of the situation could have suited a more positive approach. While Atleti have been styled as a defensive side, they have pressed Real in certain games during that seven-game unbeaten run – notably in the 4-0 La Liga win earlier this season – and an away goal would have certainly changed the dynamic on Wednesday.
Instead, the clean sheet was the priority and just as it did in the final stages of the Champions League final between the sides in May, it denied them late on. “You can criticise Atletico for not being ambitious enough but that’s how they play and that’s how they’ve been successful,” added Carragher. But with Real having scored in 85 of their last 86 games at the Bernabeu and with the prospect of an extra 30 minutes in which to get their goal if needed, it was a high-risk strategy.
Ramos in midfield role
“Don’t worry, I have solutions,” said Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti in the build-up to this one. However, after failing to find a way to beat Atletico in seven attempts, confidence wouldn’t have been too high in the coach ahead of this game and the decision to play defender Sergio Ramos in midfield – a move that failed in El Clasico back in 2013 - raised eyebrows in some quarters.
Revista de la Liga presenter Scott Minto even recalled the reaction of former Real Madrid star Michel Salgado when Pepe was played in midfield by Jose Mourinho. “He went mad: ‘This is Real Madrid, we cannot have Pepe in midfield’. Can you see Ancelotti doing that?” Well, that’s precisely what Ancelotti did do for this one. “He may think that he needs one in there who can match up as they’ve been overpowered,” said Carragher.
Ramos gave a good showing in the centre of the pitch and even completed more passes in the opposition half than anyone else. Most importantly, he played his part in neutralising Atletico as an attacking threat. “We didn’t give them the opportunity to play counter attack and we were strong from set-pieces,” said Ancelotti afterwards. Real’s uncharacteristic backward step paid off.
Should Turan have been sent off?
Ramos also had a part to play in Arda Turan’s sending off. The Turkey international was punished late on for a high boot that caught Ramos after committing a rash challenge before the break. “I think the first one was a stupid yellow card,” said Thierry Henry. “That’s the one where he could have done way better there.” Henry added: “Knowing that he’s on a yellow there, do you think Ramos is clever there?”
Ramos certainly left the referee in no doubt that he’d been caught but Souness had no sympathy for the experienced Atletico midfielder. “What he’s saying to Ramos there is, ‘I’m going to give you the opportunity to get me sent off here.’ It’s a stupid decision from a 28-year-old who has played in big games.” It ended any lingering ambitions to attack that Atletico had and gave Real renewed enthusiasm to find the winning goal.
Big goal from the Little Pea
When the moment came, Hernandez was on hand to stroke home the winner with just two minutes remaining of normal time. The striker, on loan from Manchester United, has endured a frustrating season by his own admission. “I’m in a team but excluded from the bit that matters, the games,” he told Fox Sports recently. “At times my confidence is rock bottom although I try for it to be sky high. Whenever they have placed their confidence in me, the numbers have been positive.”
With Hernandez, much of the focus has been on what he cannot do – “He doesn’t link the play, he’s not that type of player,” said Alan Smith on commentary – but the Mexican did deserve credit for showing the courage to continue getting into the right positions, especially after a series of misses. “He played well with a lot of intensity,” said Ancelotti. “He deserved it because he hasn’t played a lot this season but when I told him to play he was ready. I’m happy for him.”
Unselfish Ronaldo found a way
The Sky Sports pundits were rather happier for Cristiano Ronaldo given his part in the goal. The star man skipped away from his markers and had the presence of mind to square the ball to his team-mate to win the tie. “We’ve got to give Ronaldo the credit,” said Smith from his position in the press box. “Fifty goals this season but when it mattered he played the sensible pass – the right pass – in the circumstances, to give Hernandez a tap in.”
Henry agreed. “He can thank Ronaldo tonight,” said the former Barcelona forward. “He has to. Ronaldo decided to change the game tonight. That is Ronaldo’s goal.” For a player not often praised for his unselfish work, it was a reminder that first and foremost the current holder of the Ballon d’Or is a winner and it was his decision-making in that crucial moment that earned the victory.
So can Real defend the trophy?
Famously, no team has defended this trophy in the Champions League era and you have to go back 25 years to the AC Milan side that lifted the European Cup in 1990 to find anyone who has managed it. Ancelotti was in that side and remains hopeful of repeating the feat. “We’ll try,” he told Sky Sports. “It won’t be easy but anything can happen. We are competitive and we’ll try to do our best.”
Given that Real are in the semi-finals of the Champions League for a fifth year running, Bayern Munich have been there for five of the past six and Barcelona are even among the last four for a seventh season out of eight, there seems to be an elite group emerging in European football. As a result, it seems inevitable that the trophy will be retained by someone sooner rather than later. Why not Real Madrid? If they can crack the Atletico puzzle then anything is possible.
