Liverpool’s win marks their first victory over Real Madrid since 2009 in a thrilling match.
Liverpool quickly put pressure on Real Madrid. Raul Asencio made a crucial goal line clearance, stopping Liverpool from scoring early. Güler was active in the first half, helping out defensively as Fede Valverde played in a different position. Despite some chances from Real Madrid’s midfield, Liverpool’s defense held strong.
Young player Conor Bradley performed well against Kylian Mbappe, making a key tackle to stop him from scoring. Real Madrid played cautiously in the first half and did not create any significant chances. The second half began similarly, but Liverpool came out with more energy.
In the 52nd minute, Alexis Mac Allister finally scored for Liverpool, putting them ahead. After this goal, Güler and Eduardo Camavinga were substituted. Lucas Vazquez, who replaced Güler, had a chance to equalize for Real Madrid. However, Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty, which was saved by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Mo Salah also had a penalty but missed, giving Real Madrid a glimmer of hope. However, substitute Cody Gakpo scored with a powerful header, doubling Liverpool’s lead and likely sealing the game. It was surprising that Carlo Ancelotti brought in Endrick late in the game when they needed goals, but he could not make an impact.
This loss marked Real Madrid’s third defeat in the Champions League this season. Despite the loss, Raul Asencio’s performance was a bright spot, as he showed promise on a big stage. Ancelotti’s comments after the match were unexpected. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort against Liverpool, even though they were unlikely to qualify for the top 8.
Ancelotti boldly claimed that his team would reach the Champions League final in Munich. However, he needs to prove this statement true, or it could backfire if they are eliminated early. Kylian Mbappe’s performance was disappointing, as he did not contribute defensively and struggled in his usual position. The absence of Vinicius Junior was felt.
Currently, Real Madrid is in a tough spot in the Champions League, sitting in 24th place. They can earn a maximum of 15 points, which may not be enough for a top 8 finish. It seems likely that they will need to play in the playoffs to qualify for the Round of 16. The situation is complicated by injuries to Eduardo Camavinga, Bellingham, and Brahim, which could hinder their chances.
This performance is not what fans expect from Real Madrid in the Champions League, and they will need to make significant changes in January to improve their situation.
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