Real Madrid thrashed Atletico Madrid on the back of a stunning Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick, taking a commanding 3-0 lead into the Vicente Calderon. Alex McVey gives you this 3 key takeaways from the UCL Madrid Derby.
Cristiano Ronaldo comes up big
It’s been a frustrating past two weeks for Cristiano Ronaldo. He went scoreless in El Clásico as his eternal rival Lionel Messi’s brace sunk Madrid. At the weekend, Ronaldo was denied from the penalty spot by the now legendary penalty stopper, Valencia’s Diego Alves.
CR7 was determined to exercise his recent demons, and Atletico de Madrid were the unfortunate victims of his wrath. Ronaldo has netted hat-tricks in the Madrid Derby twice this year, the other coming at the Calderon this past fall.
In doing so, Ronaldo also broke all sorts of records:
Cristiano Ronaldo the first player in history to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Champions League KO stages.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 2, 2017
⚽⚽⚽ Bayern
⚽⚽⚽ Atletico pic.twitter.com/QkLeQFBQ30
Cristiano Ronaldo – CL Records
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 2, 2017
Most goals: 103
Most home goals: 54
Most away goals: 47
Most KO stage goals: 52
Most assists: 31#UCL pic.twitter.com/ZEX3duClHJ
Ronaldo just can’t stop silencing his haters. What more can people say about the guy?
Can’t score against big teams? Wrong
Can’t score in big games? Wrong
Past his prime? Wrong
Only scores penalties? Wrong
Ronaldo has now tied Messi for goals scored in the current Champion’s League campaign, and he’ll be looking to seal his victory in the race for the tournament’s Golden Shoe.
It’s starting to sound like a cliché, but we really should take the time to appreciate that we get to watch a talent like Cristiano Ronaldo play football week in and week out.
Earth is 4.5 billion years old and we are lucky enough to be alive to watch Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo play football. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/E5nIf6zsBq
— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) May 2, 2017
Keylor Navas gets his first clean sheet in the Champions League
Real Madrid has had a really hard time keeping clean sheets this season. So much so, in fact, that the team had not managed to keep a single clean sheet in the entire Champions League. Who would have thought that a Madrid Derby in the semifinals would provide Navas with his first opportunity to keep a clean sheet in Europe this season.
Today Keylor Navas' first clean sheet in 19 games - Madrid's first clean sheet in Champions League all season. #timing
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 2, 2017
It’s true that for the most part, Navas’ services were not required. Especially in the first half, Atletico really failed to threaten much in the final third.
However, the one time Atletico did manage to break through, Navas came up huge. Gameiro had cut through Madrid’s back line and was one-on-one with the goal, as Navas went into full-octopus mode and sprawled out to deny the Atleti striker.
That save was crucial in maintaining Madrid’s then 1-0 lead, and ultimately guided the team to a clean sheet. By preventing Atleti from getting a crucial away goal, Navas may play just as big a role in seeing Madrid through to the finals.
Madrid’s depth shows its value.
The one down-side from this Madrid Derby from Real’s perspective was the half-time substitution of Dani Carvajal. Landing awkwardly after coming down hard from an aerial duel with Saul, Carvajal had to be subbed off.
Madrid only had one defensive player on the bench, and no true full-backs. That didn’t bother Zidane, though. Why would Madrid need both a center-back and a full-back, after all, when we’ve got the defensive Swiss Army Knife known as Nacho Fernandez?
When called in to the full-back position, Nacho this season has typically played on the left. However, Nacho is naturally right-footed, and has been able to play comfortably at both full-back positions. He was an able substitute, and allowed Zidane to not take any risks with Carvajal, who apparently felt a discomfort in his thigh.
COPE: Carvajal felt discomfort at the back of his thigh. Tests to be done on Thursday.
— M•A•J (@UltraSuristic_) May 2, 2017
The other two substitutes Zidane made in the match also made an impact. Marco Asensio is showing that he has what it takes to compete for regular minutes in Zidane’s starting lineup. He allowed Zidane to take off Isco who was running the risk of picking up a second yellow card. And Lucas Vázquez also provided a burst of energy as he was substituted for the profligate Karim Benzema.
Having these two quick, young players on the bench allowed Ronaldo the space to open up the game in the second half. Their fresh legs were able to stretch Atleti’s defense thin, and showed the value of having so many star quality players waiting in the wings.