Image Credit- Managing Madrid.
In 2017-18, the defending champions, Real Madrid, were facing Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The men in white were struggling in LaLiga, and it was certain that Barcelona would win the league title. The question was whether Madrid will be able to defend their European title. It is true that no team has performed better than Real Madrid in this elite European tournament. The trophy cabinet proves the same. But a game of football is not won on the basis of history but on the basis of performance.
Yes, Real Madrid is a team of champion players, Galácticos to be more precise. But, in 2017, PSG also assembled a strong squad. The signing of Neymar, Mbappe and Dani Alves made PSG a heavy contender for this year's Champions League. In France they were literally demolishing their opponents. Even they defeated Bayern Munich in the group-stage game. As a result, the clash between the champions of Spain and the champions of France was going to be one which would be remembered for ages.
The first leg took place in Madrid. And boy! It was the PSG who scored the opening goal of the match. Adrien Rabiot scored a crucial away goal in the 33rd minute itself and gave visitors an important lead. However, just before half-time, Madrid managed to secure a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and scored a wonderful penalty which got Madrid back into the game. At half-time the scorecard read Real 1-1 PSG.
The second half turned out to be a fairytale as Real scripted a magnificent comeback and won the tie 3-1. Ronaldo continued his good run and scored his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute, which was soon followed by a third strike. Asensio provided a wonderful assist to Marcelo, who made it 3-1 for the hosts. Real Madrid did Real Madrid things. You might be a champion team, but when the Champions League title is at stake, the Galácticos perform their best.
Image Credit- The Guardian
A few days later Madrid outplayed PSG in the second leg as well, as they beat Paris in Paris 2-1. Ronaldo played a crucial role in this game as well, as he scored the important away goal in the 51st minute, which meant that PSG now required 4 goals to win and 3 goals to save the game. Even though PSG did hit a goal in the 71st minute, a late strike by Casemiro meant that the game and the tournament were over for the men in blue.
Paris Saint-Germain had a star-studded line-up, but they faded in front of the Galácticos. The Galacticos marched forward into the quarter-finals after blowing away the French champions.
To watch the Highlights of Leg 1, Click Here.
To watch the Highlights of Leg 2, Click Here.
No comments:
Post a Comment