Atletico Madrid 2 – 1 Real Madrid: 4 thoughts after the Champions League semifinals

Madrid’s midfield was dazzling.

Atletico’s big plan today was to press the hell out of Madrid and try to pin them back. For the first 25 minutes of the match, it was working.

What kept Madrid in control of their destiny was the magical work of their midfield maestros.

Luka Modrić and Isco Alarcon simply could not be stopped today. Those two players are so good at picking the ball up in dangerous situations and dribbling out of three or four defenders to keep the play alive.

Together, the Isco/Modrić partnership put in nearly double the amount of successful take-ons than the whole Atleti squad.

Toni Kroos and Casemiro were also essential to evading Atletico’s press. Toni Kroos had a 96 percent pass accuracy and made five key passes. Casemiro took the aerial route over Atletico’s pressing schema producing seven accurate long balls. (All stats from WhoScored)

Playing in a 4-4-2 when Bale has been hurt has allowed Zidane to pack the midfield and let those players control the game. Putting the defensive nous of Casemiro, the calm, machinic control of Kroos, and the outrageous dribbling, passing, and press-resistance of Modrić and Isco together on the same pitch produces an absolutely unstoppable midfield force.