Real Madrid dominate Atletico Madrid at home in the First Leg of the Champions League Semifinal
By Ben Sundock
Second Half
The second half got off to a very different start for Real Madrid, as Los Blancos started on the back foot, dealing with lots of pressure early from Atletico Madrid, but preventing the likes of Griezmann, Carrasco, and Gameiro from getting a shot on goal.
Isco and Saúl both received yellow cards before the hour mark, putting Zidane and Simeone on edge with two of their key midfielders on warnings with lots of time to play.
Still just a goal down, and looking to provide a spark, Simeone used two of substitutes in the 57th minute, sending in Fernando Torres for Kevin Gameiro, and Nicolás Gaitán for Saúl.
It’s safe to say that this “spark of energy” plan from Simeone was a complete and utter failure, as the match slowed down even further, with both teams possessing the ball a decent amount between the goal boxes, with no shots of any real threat ever materializing.
It wasn’t until the 73rd minute, and after the second substitute for Real Madrid – Marco Asensio for Isco – and the final sub for Atletico – Angel Correa for Yannick Carrasco – that a shot on goal even took place.
And that shot happened to be a beautiful Ronaldo goal.
At the end of a truly chaotic play, is a fantastic goal. While it might’ve been luck that got the ball to Ronaldo, it was nothing but pure skill and class what Ronaldo did with the ball once he had it.
The finish, a sick half volley, was the brace Real had been yearning for, and it was the dagger to an Atletico team that was already being played out of the stadium.
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After Zidane elected to bring off Karim Benzema in the 77th minute for Lucas Vasquez, with a two goal lead, I for one, thought he was putting him in to lock down the midfield and see out a 2-0 result.
That, however, was not the case, as Vasquez made a couple influential plays that showed that the Royal Whites weren’t done attacking.
Shortly after making his entrance, Vasquez made a great run towards the penalty spot, while on the attack, linking up well with Asensio who sent a ball into Vasquez, who just barely turned it wide of the far post.
Vasquez was crucial in starting the link up with Ronaldo on the third goal, as after a forceful tackle from Sergio Ramos in the defending third, Vasquez and Ronaldo played a game of give-and-go all the way to the opposing net.
The hat-trick from Ronaldo was the only goal scoring contribution Real needed, as Varane and Ramos in the middle of the Real Madrid defense allowed no Atletico passes in the penalty box the entire 90 minutes.
Zidane was clearly happy in his post-match press conference, heaping praise on the great play of his team:
"“Today we’re entitled to be happy and enjoy how we performed out there. There’s still a long way to go, both in LaLiga and the Champions League. We haven’t won anything yet. I don’t think that you could say that we’re in a state of euphoria. We’ll enjoy this one tonight and then rest up. Tomorrow we’ll turn our attentions to what’s an important game on Saturday”."
That important game Zidane wishes to turn his focus to, is against bottom-dwelling side, Granada, who sit 19th in the league, and are already guaranteed to be relegated at the conclusion of this season.