The qualification of Real Madrid for the semi-finals of the Champions League, can not be explained only on a professional level, tactics and football.
Because if they only stay in football, ball possession and opportunities, Real did not have the right to ask this morning who they prefer now - that is, who they hate more - or who they are more afraid of reaching the final: Manchester City's hated Pep Guardiola or city rival Atletico.
"It's not football it's Real Madrid", one can read and hear in Spain after what Luca Modric defined as the sweetest loss.
It's hard to find words to explain Real's survival instinct but this inexplicable thing tells why is the club that has reached the semi-finals the most times (31) and won the most European Championships (13).
There is probably no team in any sport that knows how to get out of the "grave" as Real does time and time again.
"The icon is everything," Casimiro said before the game at the Santiago Bernabeu who experienced another magical night where the team only responded when the knife was already on her neck, a second before going deeper.
The stars and problems can change from generation to generation but not the law that says - "never give up".
Rodrigo sends the game to extra time, Photo: Reuters
"The 3-0 released us. From that moment on, the fans pushed us and the magic of this stadium appeared. We knew we would suffer because Chelsea are a great team," noted coach Carlo Ancelotti, "Something is happening on this pitch and with this shirt and it happened more This time, "said the former player in charge of Real-Emilio Butargenio's international relations.
At the age of 36 Modric proved that he is the most important player of the squad apart from the best striker of the season Karim Benzema (38 goals in 38 games) and of course the best goalkeeper in the world Thibaut Courtois.
Modric's cooking for Rodrigo is cooking that must be learned in creative workshops and effectively in emergencies.
Football is such a fickle thing that the same Spanish media that today glorifies the team and more precisely the historic greatness of the club, would have killed it and especially Ancelotti if it had been relegated after coming from London with a 1: 3 advantage.
Chelsea players are depressed.
Did not kill the game and paid dearly, Photo: AFP
Chelsea can be proud that they were superior to Real and almost completed an incredible but also frustrating makeover because they did not know how to "kill" Real mainly because of what coach Thomas Tuchel defined as "two mistakes, two turnovers".
Exactly what PSG felt a month ago was also much better in most of the minutes but also gave Real the trigger to save it.
Tuchel protested against the referee because of "his smiles with Ancelotti at the end of the game" and the disqualification of Marcus Alonso's goal but it would be petty to explain the win in Real's petition thanks to the referees' help at critical moments and the luck he was blessed with.
No one understands how Real did it again but everyone knew she would do it.
Its history consists of such nights that increase the weight of the symbol and define fate.
Were we wrong?
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