.jpg)
It could have all been so different if Gareth Bale had kept his cool, but the Welshman has a mental block against Atlético de Madrid. Less than four minutes had gone when he burst past Diego Godín and went clean through, only to place his left-footed finish in Jan Oblak's comfort zone.
It was too early to cry over spilt milk for Real Madrid, but the rest of the match would prove that you cannot afford to spurn chances like that in a Champions League quarter-final. The eventual 0-0 result leaves the tie wide open going back to the Bernabéu.
Real have the initiative, but the prospect of winning the tie with two draws - something
Carlo Ancelotti mentioned in the build-up - is now solely in Atlético's hands. Another goalless stalemate would take the second leg to extra time and then penalties, while a score draw would see the 'Rojiblancos' advance.
Diego Simeone's men also remain unbeaten against their city rivals this season, with four wins and three draws.
As such, Ancelotti will have to come up with something to break this run, which is dragging on far too long for his or Real's liking.
One thing that would make a big difference would be for Bale to start delivering consistently against Atlético. He may well have scored in the Champions League final, but that was his only goal in 11 Madrid derbies.
Karim Benzema, meanwhile, has gone 13 months without registering against the 'Colchoneros', while Tuesday night's match was Cristiano Ronaldo's first blank in his last 14 Champions League away appearances.
Keeping a clean sheet won't be Real's priority in the return leg. They will have to score at the Bernabéu, and Bale may well have to overcome his block.
No comments:
Post a Comment