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Real Madrid began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 triumph against Union Berlin on Wednesday night.
The triumph was well-deserved in terms of dominance of play. For most of the night, Real Madrid was the only team attacking, and they generated several opportunities.
However, one must applaud the visitors’ tenacious defense. It’s challenging enough to play the first UEFA Champions League match in the club’s existence, let alone at the Santiago Bernabeu. Union Berlin accomplished this with flair.
A draw looked to be the most likely outcome until the 93rd minute. The visitors refused to succumb to Real Madrid’s persistent onslaught and gave their everything on the pitch.
Carlo Ancelotti’s troops, on the other hand, performed what they do well. Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winner handed the hosts all three points.
Madrid Universal presents you three takeaways from Real Madrid’s 1-0 win against Union Berlin.
Real Madrid is a force to be reckoned with.
Real Madrid is one of the few teams in the world that can never be dismissed. The team’s skill, particularly under Carlo Ancelotti, allows them to win despite a gaffe.
Their unfair advantage stems in part from the outrageous individual qualities they possess on the field. With a stroke of luck, any player may turn the game around.
However, the squad’s mental toughness is the most significant component working in their favor. Real Madrid never believes it is over until it is, and Wednesday night’s game reinforced why they are the mindset monsters.
The visitors frustrated Real Madrid to the utmost for 90 minutes. They were disciplined in their defensive lines and did not offer Los Blancos anything to work with.
Nonetheless, Real Madrid’s fortitude was evident throughout the process. Their onslaught became more intense with each passing minute and showed no signs of abating.
Poetically, they scored the game-winning goal in the penultimate minute of extra time, when all looked lost, with Jude Bellingham once again emerging as the hero.
Forwards must step up.
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On Wednesday night at Santiago Bernabeu, the men in white possessed 75% possession and continued to make the necessary penetrative assaults.
The hosts amassed an xG total of 3.80 in 90 minutes. Nonetheless, they were goalless even in the game’s last minute.
Against Union Berlin, Real Madrid had 32 shots to the opposition’s four. Seven shots were on target, with ten being blocked.
In terms of major opportunities, the man in white created five in 90 minutes, four of which were missed. Last night, they also hit the woodwork twice.
The team’s troubles in the final third highlight Rodrygo Goes and Joselu, the team’s two attackers at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both players had terrible evenings in front of goal and couldn’t seem to shake their bad luck.
Against Union Berlin, the Spaniard had three shots on target, five off target, and three efforts blocked. But it was all for nothing.
The Brazilian fared no better, with three shots and one blocked opportunity. Nonetheless, if there is a silver lining, it is that their dismal outcomes were not due to a lack of effort.
Far from persuading
Real Madrid’s winning mindset and tenacity are certainly reasons to be positive. However, this does not obscure the reality that the men in white labored and battled in vain.
The Champions League has no minnows, yet one would expect Real Madrid to display their supremacy and finish the deal at some point during the game. That period of play, however, never came.
Los Blancos may be on a six-game winning run this season, but there is reason to assume that luck has played a role in the majority of their victories.
As a result, all eyes will be on Ancelotti now. The manager has a world-class squad at his disposal, and it is now up to him to improve Real Madrid’s final-third performance. After all, stowing opportunities is just as vital as generating them.