Joselu’s heroics booked a Champions League final place
Real Madrid secured a spot at Wembley as they overcame Bayern Munich with a 2-1 comeback to win 4-3 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
Alphonso Davies had given the Germans the lead, but a late double from Joselu, striking in the 88th and 91st minutes, allowed Los Blancos to book their place in London in June with a magnificent comeback at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Carlo Ancelotti may have been going round in circles debating his only real selection decision, which was who to choose in defence.
Nacho, the captain who performed admirably in Manchester with the pressure on and in the first leg in Munich, got the nod, with Aurélien Tchouameni selected in midfield ahead of Eduardo Camavinga.
Nacho’s experience on these big European nights would prove to be crucial, particularly against another experienced elite player like Harry Kane.
The English forward was not at his best, particularly with his sloppy passing, but was kept under tight control by a Nacho who stuck to him at all times.
His leadership on the pitch was evident, particularly as the team fought for a comeback and he contested every refereeing decision and looked to chase any Bayern players trying to waste time.
If Real Madrid were full of confidence, there was an ounce of fear over the potential of Bayern’s rapid transitions that produce such a significant threat.
“I think these two teams are very good at transitions with high quality players who are quick, they are the most dangerous teams in Europe in that sense,” Carlo Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference.
As was expected, Bayern sat deep and invited Real Madrid to dominate so that they could hit on the counter, a tactic which worked well at times but which reflected an approach in which neither side were willing to gamble and risk being the first to concede.
On one occasion, Real Madrid were eliminated, allowing Alphonso Davies to score on the break with Dani Carvajal out of position and Davies falling behind, costing the home team dearly. In addition, Real Madrid handled this situation very well.
The question that all of Europe is asking and the answer is yes.
This will be the third final of Real Madrid with a German club. the two previous opponents were Eintracht Frankfurt in a 7-3 win in 1960 and Bayer Leverkusen in a 2-1 win in 2002.
In doing so, the team did better than the 2016/17 season and avoid failure. in every match en route to the Champions League final, there were 12 unbeaten matches in the same season.
In 2017, the defeat at Calderón to Atleti in the second leg did not affect the final result but ended the streak.
It also means Real Madrid will visit Wembley Stadium for the second time, having previously visited in their 3-1 Champions League group stage loss to Tottenham while the club’s new stadium The London club rebuilt in 2018.
There was a groan across the Santiago Bernabéu stadium when Carlo Ancelotti brought on Joselu for Rodrygo Goes as Real Madrid looked for an equaliser.
He’s a striker Having trouble scoring recently. months, but he was a poacher in the area who knew exactly where the target was and was looking to act like a target he knew how to do.
With nine minutes left in the game, he scored with his only two shots, both from inside the penalty area, as he banked on each loose ball, the first of which paid off. replied when Manuel Neuer knocked him down.
This then happened again when he recklessly breached Bayern’s defense by going straight to the touchline to meet Antonio Rüdiger’s pass to put the ball into the net and cause exciting scenes. Chalk in the Bernabeu.
He may not be at Ballon d’Or level yet, but he may have just secured his contract for next season with this contribution from the bench to book a place in the Champions final League
. Bayern were forced to make an injury substitution in the 26th minute when Serge Gantry had no choice but to leave the field, and Thomas Tuchel chose to make a surprise change by bringing on Canadian full-back Alphonso Davies in an attacking role.
more work in the left-footed position. . winger. Few people expected him to have such influence.
Davies has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as early as this summer and, despite poor form in recent months, has beaten Dani Carvajal with his pace and trickery.
It was his positioning that helped catch Carvajal and give Bayern the advantage, taking advantage of that space allowing them to attack with fewer numbers and then score a beautiful goal. The Bernabéu will welcome him again
Reports emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Jude Bellingham has had painkillers injected into his knee to help him overcome the pain barrier in this match.
The Englishman has a below-average record, and although he has moments of incredible technique, he doesn’t look to be at his best.
His flashy runs are absent, instead he hangs around in suitable spaces, but he is slow to react and lacks the element of surprise that has surprised so many defenses this season this prize.
Getting him in top shape for the final in London will be crucial, especially against his old club Borussia Dortmund.