In the end it took a Mexican to end this utterly absorbing stand-off, the irrepressible, if rather unimpressive, Javier Hernandez scoring the goal that ended almost 180 minutes of deadlock between these fierce city rivals.
Only here on loan from Manchester United for a season, it was a goal that means Hernandez will be adored at the Santiago Bernabeu long after he has gone.
But it was also a reward for ambition over the more conservative approach of Diego Simeone and his well-drilled side; for the team that enjoyed twice as much of the ball and the better of the chances that were created in this tense, niggly Champions League quarter-final tie.
Javier Hernandez scores the only goal of the two legs in the Champions League quarter-final between the Madrid neighbours
Hernandez runs away to celebrate his goal as Atletico Madrid were finally beaten after almost two full matches against Real Madrid
Hernandez celebrates as he became the hero for Real Madrid late on during the Champions League quarter-final second leg
Hernandez runs away in celebration after scoring the only goal in 180 minutes between the sides to settle the two-legged derby
Hernandez slides on his knees to celebrate putting Real Madrid into the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition at the Bernabeu
Cristiano Ronaldo joins in with the celebrations at the Bernabeu as Hernandez sneaked the winner against their neighbouring rivals
Ronaldo clenches his fists as he celebrates his side taking an all-important lead against their neighbours Atletico Madrid
Arda Turan is sent off by German referee Felix Brych in the 76th minute as Atletico Madrid were forced to play with 10 men
Atletico Madrid players protest the second yellow card shown to Turan which left the visitors up against it at the Bernabeu
Turan receives a pat on the back of the head by Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao after the Turkey international was sent off
It was hard to see what Atletico were trying to achieve at times. A victory on penalties perhaps. But when Arda Turan was dismissed in the 75th minute for what looked like a harsh second yellow card for a challenge on the all-too theatrical Sergio Ramos, an opportunity suddenly presented itself to Real.
A frustrated figure until Atletico were reduced to 10 men, Cristiano Ronaldo made a jinking, purposeful run into the penalty area before executing the all-important pass. Hernandez had missed his earlier chances. One of them a clear cut opening thanks to a wonderful reverse-pass from Isco. But this time he delivered, the Little Pea scoring arguably the biggest goal of his career with a sweeping effort from 12 yards.
In the starting line-up only because of an injury to Karem Benzema, Hernandez performed much as he has all season here. Committed and energetic but just lacking the class of his temporary club-mates.
But with this contest only two minutes from moving into extra-time, goalless if far from gutless, Hernandez made no mistake when it mattered most.
Ancelotti seems to beat Atletico when it matters most. In last year’s Champions League final. Here on Wednesday night. Seven times already this season these two teams had met and seven times Real had failed to conquer their less glamorous neighbours. But there is a reason why Ancelotti is the only living manager to have lifted the European Cup on three occasions, and today he is a significant step closer to winning the greatest club competition of all for an unprecedented fourth time.
It might even secure his position at the Bernabeu, given how uncertain his future appears to be despite delivering La Decima last season. ‘Every game is an exam and tonight we passed the exam well,’ said the amiable Italian with his trademark chuckle.
What an extraordinary night it had been. As early as two hours before kick-off the streets around this magnificent stadium were packed with people, their rhythmic chanting rivalled only by the hum of the police helicopters hovering overhead.
Champions League nights between two teams from the same country have this special quality. Rarely has an atmosphere been greater in English football than when Chelsea travelled to Anfield for that first semi-final back in 2005.
Real Madrid striker Hernandez had been having a frustrating evening for Real Madrid up until his goal in the 88th minute
Hernandez couldn't quite believe how he missed his chance to give Real Madrid the all-important lead at the Bernabeu before his goal
Hernandez's starting place for Real Madrid was described by local media as the 'biggest match of his career' and he lived up to it
But this was extra special. This was a Madrid derby with a difference and the deafening roar that greeted the end of the Champions League anthem said as much. You could barely hear yourself think never mind what the person sat next to you was saying, and it was no different when Turan was dismissed and when Hernandez then struck the decisive blow.
For Ancelotti it must have come as something of a relief after the tactical juggling he had to perform in the absence of key personnel.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
As well as Benzema, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Marcello were also missing and the decision to deploy Ramos in midfield caused some concern here. After all, only once before had the Italian tried it and after losing 2-1 to Barcelona he admitted to making a mistake. Afterwards he laughed about it too, joking that attempts to kill him last time had proved unsuccessful so he felt safe doing it again.
This game quickly followed a familiar theme, with Real pressing deep in the half of the well-drilled Atletico.
Simeone, simmering and animated on the sidelines, applauded his players for the naughty challenges as well as the good ones, seemingly happy to see his side play so negatively.
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos sends a powerful header towards goal but is unable to give his team the lead at the Bernabeu
Ramos tries to encourage the crowd to make more noise at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid tried to break the deadlock
Ramos goes down holding his face during the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu for the Champions League quarter-final second leg
Ramos holds his face as German referee Brych approaches to figure out what is wrong with the Spain defender
But the chances would come for Real, with Ronaldo forcing a fine save from the impressive Jan Oblak just before the break and Hernandez failing to capitalise on that delightful ball from Isco just after the restart.
Only when Turan was dismissed did the breakthrough come, however, Ronaldo and Hernandez exploiting the slight tactical change Simeone had been forced to make as a result of the red card.
Atletico’s manager said he had no regrets. ‘I am proud of my players,’ he said. ‘But congratulations to our rivals, who played a good game and scored a beautiful goal.’
Which it was. A triumph for the beautiful game too.
Cristiano Ronaldo rises to get his head to the ball above Atletico Madrid's Miranda (centre) and Diego Godin (left) during the tie
Ronaldo reflects after a missed chance during the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid tie in the Champions League quarter-final second leg
It proved a physical contest as usual between the Madrid sides as Ronaldo is pictured here complaining to the referee after a foul
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak had looked dominant between the sticks for the visitors as he fought for a cleansheet
Oblak allows the ball to go over his goal safely as Atletico Madrid tried to defend the attacks of their great rivals and neighbours Real
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak dives to his left to make a save during the nervy Champions League tie for both sides
Diego Simeone (left) and Carlo Ancelotti embrace amid the Madrid derby as both teams went head to head at the Bernabeu
The Real Madrid team bus was greeted by thousands of supporters outside the ground ahead of kick-off in the European tie
Fans showed their support for the Real Madrid squad as they arrived at the Bernabeu for Wednesday night's match with rivals Atletico
This goal map shows how Hernandez scored the only strike of the two leg
0 comments:
Post a Comment