Still nice: Real Madrid is once again the Champions League winner
When Real Madrid unveiled Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach last summer, few would have guessed that the club would end up clinching the league and Champions League titles. Like Real midfielder Toni Kroos in an interview after the final whistle against Liverpool DAZN said the Italian trainer had already thanked his players in advance, simply for allowing him to play another final in the premier class.
In the end, Ancelotti’s team was successful, beating Liverpool somewhat happily 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night. Happy, because the English came to a total of 24 degrees – Real just four. Vinicius Junior used one of the few opportunities in the 59th minute: the goal of the day. But like fellow striker Karim Benzema, the young Brazilian remained pale most of the time, while top striker Mohamed Salah, in particular, shot nine shots more than twice as often as the entire Spaniard team.
At times, the Egyptian fought real private duels with Real’s outstanding goalkeeper Thibault Courtois. The Belgium national goalkeeper made nine saves and was deservedly voted player of the match. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said after the game that his team’s numerous attempts ultimately included only “three to four really good ones”. And, yes, after Real Madrid’s opening goal, the well-oiled offensive machine of the “Reds” actually faltered.
Earlier in the game, the English Cup winners tried to corner the Spanish champions with his infamous pressing. But if you have such an experienced and intelligently playing midfield with Casemiro, Luka Modric and Kroos, stay calm. The construction arts of David Alabas helped. Before the game, the central defender from Austria put it pathetically that Real’s jersey would do something to its wearer: “It gives you this conviction. you know who you are You know how good you are.«
This elusive aspect of the sport, often called mentality for lack of a better word, carried Real Madrid through to the final despite some seemingly hopeless deficits in previous games and saw the team triumph over a favored opponent. It’s pretty unbelievable: Madrid have reached the final eight times and the team has won eight times. Overall, it was the 14th title in Europe’s most important club competition, which until 1992 was still called the European Champion Clubs’ Cup.
Nevertheless, the club did not start this season in the Champions League as one of the top favorites. Like most key players, coach Ancelotti appeared to be past his prime. Most recently, the 62-year-old coached SSC Napoli and FC Everton, both clubs that are not among Europe’s elite. Ancelotti had been at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015, won the Champions League in 2014 – and was released a year later.
“There is no coach who is so close to his players,” said Kroos, describing the secret of the success of now four-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti. No coach has been able to win the title more often. The new record holder himself said after the game: “We suffered a bit in the first half, but the commitment and commitment were perfect. We worked very well at the back and everything worked out in the end.«
The organization around the stadium was not at all right before the final. The game could only be kicked off at 9:36 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. The organizer spoke of a “delayed arrival of fans”, however, Liverpool supporters reported that they had to wait a disproportionately long time in front of the stadium. Chaotic scenes ensued and the police used tear gas.
