08/07/2020 - 18:16
- Clarín.com
- sports
Unforgivable, flagrant and judgmental. Two errors by a hesitant Raphael Varane condemned Real Madrid to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City that finally achieved their great triumph in the Champions League, after having also won in the Spanish capital.
Pep Guardiola's men bled a fearful Real Madrid, who came within a goal of extra time with 1-1, but went home due to errors in defense of an erratic Varane, who missed having Sergio Ramos next to him.
Nerves, always crucial in these crossings and on other occasions executioners of City, betrayed Madrid. At 9 minutes, Guardiola's high pressure paid off and Varane made a mess. Gabriel Jesus stole the ball and assisted Sterling at will, who only had to push it.
Doubts gripped a Madrid that received the shouts from the stands of a very plugged Ramos. The stage was perfect for the infernal possession of City, but Madrid knew how to respond.
Benzema had it first on a very clear occasion, only in front of Ederson, but in which he threw the doll. The second of the French was no longer forgiven. Rodrygo nailed Joao Cancelo and put a measured cross from the baseline for Benzema's header.
Madrid kept getting closer, but the real danger led them to the goal of Courtois el City, especially with the shots of Sterling and Cancelo. The Belgian was decisive and avoided a disaster before the break.
Raheem Sterling flies when colliding with Thibaut Courtois Photo: AP
Led by a great De Bruyne who has established himself as the best midfielder in Europe, the Sky Blues began to cement the second. Sterling brushed past it, who after a masterful pass from the Belgian, breaking two lines, found himself in hand-to-hand with Courtois's fingertips.
City were much better, but they did not kill, which had already thrown them out of this competition in the past. His ability to dominate was far above his ability to compete and Madrid, with very little, always gave a sense of danger.
Gabriel Jesús had it clearer, who only in front of Courtois did it at night and found another saving hand from the Belgian.
The City was missing a spark above and Varane gave it to them again. In a comfortable long ball for the Frenchman, he tried to give it to Courtois, but fell short. Gabriel Jesús anticipated and surpassed the Belgian, imploding Madrid.
The City hit the table that Guardiola's men had been waiting for so long. His great night in Europe against Real Madrid that confirms the changing of the guard in the 'Old Continent'.
It will be the 'Sky Blues' who march to the quarterfinals in Lisbon. Zidane's are going on vacation.