Brahim scores a genius goal to send Real Madrid out of Germany alive
Real Madrid and adversity. An odd couple that dances to the Champions League tune at the worst moments with an astonishing rhythm. Casualties arrive and reinforcements arrive. Bellingham is injured and Brahim comes in. Courtois breaks down and Lunin comes in. Not to mention the ability of Tchouaméni, Camavinga or Carvajal to transform themselves to defend anywhere.
Real Madrid's great moment
This is Ancelotti's Real Madrid in times of war. A team that nobody gave a penny for in October and that is now one of the most reliable in Europe. They may not have the quality to reach the final at Wembley, but there is no rival that can dominate them in La Liga or in Europe.
Carvajal returned to the full-back position where he performs best. Mendy is irreplaceable on the left wing, so the only thing left to do was to find a partner for Nacho, who returned from injury, although his level is not the same as last year. Ancelotti chose Tchouaméni and told him it was urgent to convince the Frenchman that he had to play in the centre of defence. He did so at a very high level and was even able to make amends for his teammate's mistakes.
The whistle for Kroos in Germany can only go wrong. If there was any chance of playing for his country again at the European Championship, it has gone up in smoke after the treatment he received from the Leipzig fans. Real Madrid doesn't care and even benefits from the fact that their players have the legs just to play in white.
The loss of Bellingham gave way to Brahim. Although Güler has already proven his ability, the Spanish-Moroccan has long since earned his place in the starting line-up. His wonder goal came in the 48th minute after he took every kick he received on his way into the box, culminating in a wonderful shot into the top corner.
Leipzig could have equalised through a Dani Olmo chance, but it was Sesko's goal disallowed for offside in the second minute of the game that angered the Germans. The VAR came in and Real Madrid breathed a sigh of relief because there was an opponent preventing Lunin from moving in the box.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper is also the chosen one for the Champions League. It turns out that Real Madrid had Courtois' understudy at home, but Ancelotti wanted to sell him in the summer. These are the things that happen in the White House. The carambola could lead to Kepa not only being on the bench, but also missing out on the European Championship if Ancelotti doesn't give him a game between now and May so that he doesn't lose his level.
Openda was not a problem for the white backline. Simons and centre-back Orban were a bit more, but Real Madrid's Champions Mode neutralised any chance of returning to Spain with a draw. Nobody remembered that historic curse of not winning in Germany. The 1-0 scoreline and the return leg at the Bernabéu leave everything in the Whites' favour for a place in the quarter-finals. If nothing strange happens, Guardiola's Manchester City, who beat Copenhagen 1-3 in Tuesday's other game, will be there. European football is back and, until the Superliga says otherwise, it is the best competition in the world.