“We know that we are going to suffer and we are ready to suffer”, conceded Carlo Ancelotti at a press conference on Monday. With his experience, the Madrid coach was right. His Real Madrid suffered so much against Chelsea that he even lost after extra time (2-3), Tuesday, April 12, in the quarter-final return of the Champions League. Led (3-0), his team nevertheless provided the essentials: the Merengues composted their ticket for the last four of the C1 thanks to their demonstration of the first leg (3-1).
15 – Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the 15th time, including 10 in the last 12 editions, more than any other team. King. pic.twitter.com/Pdt9LY8pCk
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 12, 2022
The fate of a course in the Champions League is sometimes played out in nothing. To a loss of ball which seems innocuous, to these supports which slip away at the wrong time. We had already entered extra time for a few minutes when Thiago Silva lost a ball intended for N’Golo Kanté before Antonio Rüdiger slipped in his six meters in front of Karim Benzema. Alone in front of goal and well served by Vinicius Junior, the Frenchman only had to complete his reign on this double confrontation by scoring with a header the Madrid qualification goal (2-3, 90th + 6), his fourth across both games.
The French international allowed, once again, the Santiago-Bernabéu stadium to capsize in a trance as crazy as it seemed unimaginable twenty minutes earlier, when Chelsea were leading 3-0. Like an ode to these eliminatory meetings whose stakes and suspense never cease to surprise at each meeting. Except for the people of Madrid, already spectators in their lair of an improbable reversal of the situation in the round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain (3-1 victory in the return after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg).
In a total reversal of the balance of power compared to the first act at Stamford Brige, Chelsea nevertheless failed to materialize this “dream scenario” which Thomas Tuchel had spoken about in a pre-match press conference. The Blues coach was not in the dream but had firmly anchored in reality an almost perfect tactical plan. Almost, since he missed fifteen minutes to pull off the robbery.
Tuchel’s four changes in his starting lineup have all been validated: Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the key man. Mateo Kovacic reigned throughout the game…
The Blues smothered the Merengues with a much more efficient and organized pressing than on the first leg, monopolizing the ball. After a long possession streak of 1’19” and 29 assists, Mason Mount opened the scoring (1-0, 15th).
0 – Real Madrid failed to get on target in the first half of a Champions League game at home for the first time since Opta analyzed the competition (2003/04). Waiters. #RMACH pic.twitter.com/8PiVNLDPan
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) April 12, 2022
Benzema in the trap, only Vinicius Junior tried to float but his tactical waste came up against a very good Antonio Rüdiger. The German central defender also distinguished himself on the other side of the field by catapulting his head into the back of the net, on receiving a corner from Mason Mount (51st, 2-0).
The ordeal was near for Real Madrid. They were saved for the first time when Marcos Alonso saw his goal, with a powerful volley in the small net, refused for a severe handball (63rd). It finally came less than a quarter of an hour later, through Timo Werner, making the huge feat possible (3-0, 75th).
It was without counting on the veterans of Real Madrid. With a delicious exterior of the right foot, Luka Modric offered the goal of hope to Rodrygo on a plateau, for his first ball of the match (3-1, 80th). Entering only two minutes earlier, he then sent his team into overtime.
Before, therefore, Karim Benzema takes the light again (3-2, 90th + 6). With these seven goals in the last three C1 games, the former Lyonnais became the first Frenchman to score twelve goals in a single European Cup season. Giant.