As RB Leipzig had a purpose dominated out for offside in solely the second minute of play, it appeared like Actual Madrid had been up towards it, however behind a wondergoal from Brahim Diaz, Los Blancos had been in a position to kick off leg one in all their Champions Leauge spherical of 16 tie with a 1-0 victory over the German facet. It took particular person brilliance for Madrid to win a match the place Leipzig had been arguably the higher crew, but when it might look like it was fortunate that Actual Madrid gained the match in the case of how they play beneath Carlo Ancelotti, it is by design.
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A crew’s form is necessary in soccer however Ancelotti permits his proficient gamers to lean into what makes them harmful to the opposition and that is their unpredictability, dribbling, and vary to shoot from anyplace on the pitch. All of these had been on show in Diaz’s purpose as makeshift heart again Dani Carvajal stepped as much as make an interception, realizing that he may permit a purpose if he mistimes the step earlier than Diaz evaded not one, not two, however three defenders earlier than unleashing an unstoppable shot to depart Peter Gulacsi helpless in internet.
After Diaz’s brilliance gave Madrid the lead, it was as much as backup keeper Andriy Lunin to protect it as RB Leipzig did discover loads of house by way of Benjamin Sesko. Lunin struggled within the first half of play however was in a position to make a essential choice to hurry out of the field clearing out a Sesko probability within the 62nd minute of play earlier than being known as upon to make quite a few saves within the match. It was one in all Lunin’s greatest performances in a Madrid shirt with 9 saves and a pair of.19 targets prevented as Leipzig gave it their all at residence at Purple Bull Enviornment.
Leipzig created 1.29 xG in comparison with Madrid’s 1.47 xG however that was resulting from an enormous Vinicius Junior probability that clattered off the submit late to spice up the stats however it was a recreation that on paper deserved to be a minimum of a draw. However when a recreation of soccer is not performed on paper, moments like these matter. With out Jude Bellingham who was absent resulting from an ankle sprain, Diaz stepped up, however the match additionally leaves Ancelotti with an necessary query. Diaz pulled up within the 84th minute with a decrease leg damage and was changed by Lucas Vazques to shut out the match. There’s a probability that Bellingham could possibly be match for the second leg on March 6 on the Santiago Bernabeu but when he cannot go, who will then exchange Diaz? La Liga play could provide an thought as Madrid should play Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, and Valencia earlier than Champions League however with Los Blancos main the league by 5 factors, there may be extra room for error than a slender one-goal benefit towards Leipzig.
The German facet already confirmed that they’ll trigger Madrid some hassle however with the appropriate attacking setup, Leipzig’s protection will be undone. Now recovering from an damage and increase his minutes in league play, it could possibly be an opportunity for proficient teenager Arda Guler to be known as on however the most certainly means to make sure Madrid are as dynamic as potential is slotting Rodrygo within the center.
Permitting Joselu to play up prime for a extra pure striker look, Rodrygo’s directness can provide an analogous menace to that of Diaz conserving Leipzig heart backs occupied in an effort to transfer to the ultimate eight of the event. Tuesday’s match does increase the query of whether or not Madrid can win the Champions League with out Bellingham within the lineup as groups like Manchester Metropolis will not be as wasteful with their probabilities as Leipzig had been, however there is no have to assume too lengthy about that till they’re within the Champions League closing. Particular person brilliance acquired Madrid right here and it’ll hold transferring them ahead.
