Everything worked to perfection. Hugo Lloris was able to hold off the Real Madrid attack for a little while but as his defense crumbled around him, especially in the second half, even he couldn’t stop Real Madrid from finally beating Lyon (3-0, 4-1 on aggregate) and make the Champions League quarter finals for the first time since 2003. Here are a few thoughts and ponderings after watching the fantastic display from Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Marcelo, Benzema and Angel Di Maria.
Karim Benzema Loves Playing Against Lyon
It’s defeintley been an up and down season for the talented Lyon born striker, but during the last few weeks, Mourinho has finally found a striker ready to lead, to compliment Cristiano Ronaldo and Ozil’s passing. Benzema kept leaving Lyon’s defenders wrong footed and out of breath. He scored his second goal against the former club and his 9th goal in his last seven matches. The talk about him being better coming off the bench should be silenced, at least for a little while.
Jose Mourinho has Earned his Right to Talk Some More
Mourinho decided to use his press conference to talk about Lyon’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas. Mourinho was angry that Aulas even dared and speak about a game that belongs to players and managers. Aulas said that Real will probably defend and try and come away with a 0-0 draw. BS, of course, and in retrospect, maybe even harmful. Mourinho’s Real played aggressively and fluently from the first minute and if it wasn’t for Hugo Lloris’ saves… Maybe this win will calm him down before his next comment about the Barcelona schedule preferences.
Pepe is a Disgusting Player
I didn’t know how to put it. His violent behavior during the entire match has to be addressed by UEFA. His a wonderful defender when he keeps his cool, but he always seems to lose it at a certain point during a match. Today he was extremely fiery, getting yellow carded early on and somehow not getting sent off on two separate occasional, including one when he nearly took Aly Cissokho’s head off.
When Real Are Brilliant
Marcelo’s opener (seen above) was a delight. From Cristiano’s little shimmy before his assist and Marcelo’s perfect control in the box. He’s one of those player that gives fans and coaches heart attacks. Deadly brilliant at times but bound to make a terrible defensive error when under pressure. When you know the opponent is going to be hanging back the entire match, Marcelo’s a perfect weapon to open up a tight defense. When playing against teams that like to attack, not so much. A double-ended sword. Angel Di Maria is pure delight. He does disappear sometimes but his technique and speed in the box creates so much for Real. Ozil did what he does when he’s in the zone – roaming free and constantly creating chances. Same for Ronaldo – drew so much attention but didn’t act selfishly. On nights like these, he’s just as good as Messi.
4 responses to “Champions League – Four Final Thoughts on Real Madrid’s 3-0 Win Against Lyon”
Couldn’t agree more about Pepe. It’s not the first time he does something like that. He’s still young but if he continues like that, he will get a huge ban from the FIFA.
Kinda sad to see both Lyon & Marseille getting beat up easily but he just shows how bad Ligue 1. But, they are not the best team to watch if you want to see a ligue1 game (go for PSG, Lille, Lorient or even Sochaux). TBH, I don’t really care if they lost since I’m from paris and Marseille are my favorites ennemies 😉
Happy to see Benzema finally earning his place on the team. Mourinho said nice thing about the frenchman in press conference. Good to hear for both Madrid and France.
Not much stuff to say about the spanish team, they were (harder) better, stronger and faster. Even if 3 goals were scored, Lloris once again proved he was an good keeper with some incredible saving. For me, it’s a mysteri to see him at Lyon. He deserves and needs to play in a top club. It would hurt me to see him play for manchester but that would be a wise move for him. (or we sell Reina and get Lloris instead, but that’s a dream ^^)
I’m actually curious to know what you think of Aulas, Lyon’s president. In france, and to me, he’s the most popular president in europe (with AC milan’s..). He knows football very well since he’s been at lyon for at least 20years. Very smart person who he’s in a way similar to Mourinho. He manage to focus all media on him and his team can play & train whithout too much problems. He’s known here to “trash talk” a lot, before and after every major games.
Finaly, no one believed that Madrid will play defense. They are at home, it’s a champions league with incredible players. It goes without saying they will have an offensive tactic.
Btw, brilliant goal indeed from Marcelo.
@Sando Mate, you amaze me… sometimes your comments are longer than our entire posts 😉 Ligue 1 is weak, can’t compete with the cash. The thing is – is it better to have a weak league with a high level of competition or a “strong” league, like La Liga, with pretty much only two relevant teams?
Lloris is amazing… one of the top 3 in the world and probably will compete with Neuer on the best in the world in years to come. From what I’ve read, his release clause will be through the roof and United are very keen on De Gea from Atletico.
About Aulas – I like Trash talk when it’s the right place and time. I don’t think his comments helped Lyon in any way.
I’m used to talk about football only with my friends so it’s always nice to see how ppl not from France see footbal, ligue 1, … so it’s nice to talk here 🙂
Well I don’t like spanish football. They only have 2 teams and they are only 2 important games in that league : “barca vs real” and “real vs barca”. I find it boring and because they are playing against weaker team, it’s normal to say that both real & Barcelone are incredible teams.
I believe if they were in premiereLeague, they wouldn’t be champion because they don’t know what it means to fight every week to win.
Moreover, and that’s only my point of view, barca & spain national team is a “boring” team to watch because all they do is pass the ball. pass, pass, pass, pass and when the opponent is mad about not having the ball, they manage to score. They have only 1 kind of tactic but I admit they are the best at it.
Unfortunetly, this year english team sux. ManU is not what it used to be. Chelsea is getting old. Liverpool, well no point in saying much :/
Tottenham is doing very well and they will be difficult to beat in champions league. Arsenal is still good, as always I might add.
Yeah, Lloris would be expensive. He’s a key player for Lyon and IMO he’s the top player of Lyon and the top player of France team. He’s in a team that did 1/8 finals of champions league 10 times in 10 years (which is quite incredible). Expensive but he’ll be worth every penny.
Quick word about europa league^^. If you ever have the chance to watch a PSG game. Check Sakho, the CB. He is literraly the most impressive player I’ve ever seen.
A true leader (captain of France -21, -19, -16, Vice captain of PSG)
Young (around 20 or 21 only)
He already has a good experience in ligue 1 in what is the most popular club. Lots of pressure in paris. But when you see him play, he shows incredible determination, confidence and power. He’s destined to be captain of France and captain of a top club.
@Sando About Sakho, I’m stunned Wenger hasn’t snatched him up by now, especially with all the Centre backs his been going through