Dhe performance of the previously so spectacularly playing Gladbacher was not particularly convincing that evening, they lost 2-0 at Real Madrid. They had no chance, and most observers had actually assumed that the Bundesliga club would be eliminated if they lost. However, with Inter Milan only playing 0-0 against Shakhtar Donetsk, both the Italians and the Ukrainians missed the chance to overtake Mönchengladbach in the table (and Inter even play in the Europa League). A disappointing soccer game of the team of coach Marco Rose therefore led to the jubilation over the first-time entry into the last 16 of the Champions League.
“Crazy, crazy!”, Captain Lars Stindl cheered afterwards at DAZN. “It was actually our weakest game in the preliminary round and we’re still going through. We deserved it with our strong performances before. Outstanding. ”Before that, however, they had suffered for 90 minutes.
It quickly became apparent that Real would play with maximum seriousness that evening. Coach Zinedine Zidane had spoken of a “final”, whereupon midfielder Casemiro added: “Finals are not there to be played, but to be won.” And that’s exactly how Real played. The pressing was overwhelming, the passing game was precise, and it was 1-0 early on. After a bad pass from Lars Stindl, Lucas Vasquez had plenty of room for a cross, in the center Karim Benzema hit too easily with his head from seven meters.
Madrid’s superiority then became, at times, overwhelming. The Gladbachers rarely got relief, only once were they really dangerous before the break. After a nice pass from Florian Neuhaus, Alassane Pléa appeared almost unrestricted in front of Real goalkeeper Thibout Courtois, but shot just off the post (25th). That was a moment when the game could have got a new match, but it wasn’t Borussia’s evening, at least not in Madrid.
The Gladbachers played strangely inhibited and intimidated, as if such a decisive game against a giant of the premier class was a size too big for this team said in the TV interview before kick-off. When the game was on, the Spanish champions were able to cross almost undisturbed, especially on Gladbach’s left defense. From there Vasquez prepared the 1-0, from here Rodrygo provided the preparatory work for the 2-0: Again Benzema hit from close range with his head (32nd).
It was now clearly the weakest game for Gladbach in the current competition. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer maneuvered a shot from Luca Modric to the post (39th), a goal for Real was canceled due to an offside position (43rd). The completely inferior Gladbachers were still lucky not to go any further at halftime.
How changed: Real Madrid
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Image: dpa
Slowly they had to start hoping for the right result in the other meeting of the group, in which Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk were still 0-0 after an hour. And in the event of a tie between these two clubs, Borussia would have continued even if they had lost.
After the break, the Gladbachers became a bit more stable, but Real remained more dangerous. Benzema hit the lower edge of the bar (73rd), Vasquez shot at the post (79th). In the meantime it was a demonstration of power, but in Milan it actually remained at the saving 0-0.
Borussia’s journey in this special Champions League season continues, which is a great achievement beyond that weak game on Wednesday evening in this difficult group with Milan, Madrid and Donetsk. There was a lot of speculation about the lack of maturity and experience compared to the permanent guests in the premier class, with whom they had to compete. But the courage with which the team appeared in the first four games was rewarded in the end.
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