[Sport] Benzema keeps Madrid alive

[#Steeven.™]

Karim Benzema doesn't need to convince anyone at this point. The Frenchman, at the peak of his career, is the great culprit that Real Madrid remains alive in the semis of the Champions League. He scored at the precise moment, when Chelsea was an irrepressible hurricane. His goal restored balance in the duel, pure European Cup. In the final draw, the referee, Makkelie, had nothing to do with it, who was impeccable despite widespread fears. Excellent news for everyone.

Real Madrid is a team made for the Champions League, it is indisputable. Only a club with an idyllic relationship with this tournament can survive the perfect storm for half an hour. As if he sensed that a door would open for him in the tie, as it ended up happening. Despite protecting themselves with three centrals and looking for the offensive projection by bands of Carvajal and Marcelo, the white team did not have the ball or presence because of Chelsea, far superior. Also with three centrals, Tuchel's team prevailed where it was least suspected, the center of the field, clinging to the verticality and power of Kanté and the distinction of Mason Mount.

Pulisic began warning, between the centrals, and then Werner forgave a resounding goal. He was saved by Courtois, who became great in a point-blank shot. He was winning Chelsea in all facets, waiting and going against or in positional attack. They did not need to elaborate, it was enough to move the ball with speed. As in the first attack, a long, exquisite ball from Rüdiger between Varane and Nacho was enough to prepare the 0-1. He controlled Pulisic, hedged to the left, dodged Courtois and scored with mettle.

 

Karim's prodigy
However, the worst thing was not the goal, but the overwhelming feeling of the London team. It is not the Chelsea of Di Matteo, a defensive rock who lived off the finishing talent of Drogba. This is a more leading team, and with much less goal than that. He forgave situations of superiority to the counter. A sin against a team like Real Madrid, capable of surviving a tsunami. It was enough with the minutes of glory of Benzema, leader in the worst moment. He patiently led the first serious attack, outlined left-handed and made a shot to the post. Shortly after, in a corner, Casemiro and Militao prevailed from above to take the ball into the area, Karim controlled with his head and volleyed violently into the net. Tie. Seeing is believing.

The draw lowered Chelsea's expectations. Despite Kanté's dominance in the wide area, the sides were held further back. Vinicius contributed to this, facing Azpilicueta again and again. Werner had a counterattack in superiority that crashed into the net on the outside. The break was good for Zidane to clarify some concepts because, without changing parts, Madrid improved performance. Casemiro anchored back and Kroos and Modric appeared. Without exaggeration, either. At least the Croatian suffered less than in the first act. Like all his team.

To the surprise of the staff, Zidane made the first change and the substitute was not Marcelo. The captain yesterday did not find the place with the ball or without it, especially on the cons. Hazard came in, as part of filming for the London finale. Tuchel's reply was to renew the attack in full: outside Werner and Pulisic, inside Ziyech and Havertz. 200 kilos in a couple of changes. Chelsea regained presence in the opposite field, but it was Kanté who was scary, a marvel.

The game was closed, as if both were accepting the first round. Madrid pressed at the end abusing the aerial game, where Chelsea showed a surprising weakness. He was able to achieve the carom Varane, after playing Chilwell. It wouldn't have been fair. The blues leave Di Stéfano with an advantage, but Madrid knows every corner of the Champions League. Beware the.