Tops
Mendy woke Madrid up
In the absence of several executives (Benzema, Hazard, Ramos, Carvajal among others), Real lacked ammunition in front.
And so it took a left side to take responsibility for
the Madrid club to get out of the Atalanta trap
.
In the 86th minute, Ferland Mendy tried his luck from outside the area of the right, his bad foot.
A strike that hit the mark and freed all its partners.
A fair reward for his efforts, he who multiplied the climbs and was also solid in his lane, while causing the red of Freuler.
Atalanta had held up rather well.
Mendy's goal should not make us forget the great solidarity displayed by this Atalanta team.
At 10 against 11 for 73 minutes, not counting additional time, the Dea players had closed the spaces well, with an impressive collective discipline.
The two exchanges Romero and Toloi notably delivered a high level service.
But they ended up cracking in the last moments, much too blunt.
Kroos, indefatigable, Varane, true boss
The leaders of Real were at the level.
In particular, Toni Kroos has touched countless numbers of balls and has always sought to find vertical solutions.
As for the evening captain Raphaël Varane, he was also imperial in the duels, raking balloons and showing himself imperturbable in the air.
Flops
A red that is debated
Expelled in the 17th minute, Remo Freuler therefore left his partners for a foul on Mendy, who was going to rush into the area.
Except that this red made people talk so much a yellow might have been enough.
The French side escaped indeed but some defenders of the Dea were likely to intervene behind.
An expulsion which therefore caused debate and which seriously handicapped the men of Gasperini.
Vinicius, still insufficient
The Brazilian winger has been blowing hot and cold since he arrived at Real in 2018. Very messy,
he still badly negotiated certain situations
for lack of lucidity.
Not always using his dribbles in the right tempo, he lost precious balls in the offensive phase.
Ilicic, the doubt persists Plagued
by personal problems at the start of the season, Josip Ilicic is struggling to return to his form of recent seasons.
And this match undoubtedly symbolizes his recurring ailments.
Entered in the 56th minute, his coach expected him to keep more of the ball, to bring up his block.
Except that his casual attitude really annoyed Gasperini, who even ended up getting him out before the end.
A cruel sanction.
Read also
Champions League: schedule and results
