Hurricane Golazo blew into Anfield last night, Real Madrid sweeping aside Liverpool with a stunning display of attacking football. Cristiano Ronaldo struck a beautiful first, Karim Benzema added two more before the break, leaving Liverpool praying for another Istanbul against a Carlo Ancelotti team.
The miracle never came and, by the end, the Kop was applauding the magical men from Spain. Real were a class apart, almost a world apart at times.
Liverpool defended wretchedly, particularly against balls played in from wide, and they need to work far harder at Melwood on protecting Simon Mignolet, on striving ceaselessly for clean sheets.
Glen Johnson is into his second decade as a defender in the professional game, has more than a half-century of England caps, has moved for almost £30 million in deals, and has still not acquired an appreciation of the importance of marking. ‘Help yourself, Karim, I’ll look the other way. Merci.’
In truth, and in fairness to Liverpool, few sides would have lived with Real in this precise, intelligent, vibrant form. Ronaldo, who moved within one goal of Raúl’s record of 71 in the Champions League, was far from their best performer. Toni Kroos was exceptional, running midfield, fast proving one of the most significant signings of the summer.
Real’s less-lauded players, the likes of Marcelo and Isco, were similarly formidable. Marcelo powered down the left time after time, attacking relentlessly as well defending adeptly. Little, bearded, nimble Isco was bristling with endeavour, with darting runs, guiding the ball deep into enemy territory and linking up constantly.
It is not simply the appliance of great technique that makes Real such a force, not solely the influence of one of the most accomplished footballers the game has ever marvelled to in Ronaldo. It is also their work ethic. They pressed hard, worked hard, and attacked with pace and precision. They are the champions of Europe and showed why here.
Anfield shook with all its old atmospheric defiance early on but was soon subdued. “There are stages that make a victory all the greater,’’ began the match report on the Real Madrid website. “Anfield is one of them.”
Real’s hunger was palpable from first minute to last. Their desire to be the first team to retain the Champions League gleams from those famous white shirts.
Real’s commitment contrasted with a shaming cameo at half-time from Liverpool’s No 45, Mario Balotelli. Why always him? Balotelli suffered another wardrobe malfunction, an expensive one this time. He has got into trouble before trying to take a bib off and now outraged many home supporters by exchanging shirts with Pepe at half-time. Pepe?! It was not as if he was getting a souvenir from Pele.
Liverpool have been down this embarrassing road before, Mamadou Sakho and Philippe Coutinho swapping shirts with Samuel Eto’o and Oscar respectively at half-time at Stamford Bridge last December. It is the type of unthinking act that incenses supporters, who expect their players to be in total gladiatorial conflict with the opposition until the final minute. Brendan Rodgers confirmed he would take disciplinary action against Balotelli, probably a fine.
Balotelli is becoming an increasing problem for Rodgers. With Luis Suárez gone and Daniel Sturridge lame, Liverpool’s manager needs Balotelli to deliver yet he moped around the pitch here, abjectly failing to rise to a special occasion. Pepe would not have needed much washing powder to rid Balotelli’s shirt of any sweat stains.
This was only Liverpool’s second defeat at home in Europe in 19 games but it was emphatic, thoroughly merited and a chronicle of a death foretold. Liverpool had run on to the pitch, clutching at the hope from history, noting that Real had never previously scored in three attempts against them, including the 1981 European Cup final settled by Alan Kennedy who was looking on from the smart seats filled with stars. There were no shortage of goals in the directors’ box with Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush being joined by Emilio Butragueño.
Unfortunately, distressingly for Liverpool, there was no shortage of goals from Madrid in the first half. They showed their class on and off the field. Madrid were full of respect before the kick-off, some of their dignitaries filming the Kop singing You’ll Never Walk Alone while their fans stood silently, many holding up their camera phones to capture the raw power of the moment. “You know your job,” Rodgers had told the Kop, who launched into all their old songs with a vengeance. The pre-match playing of Livin’ On A Prayer always seemed more portentous.
There could be no complaint about Rodgers’ tactics, simply the lax nature of their defending ruthlessly exploited by world-class opponents. Liverpool’s manager had sprung a surprise, starting Raheem Sterling high up the field and close to Balotelli. Sterling’s pace briefly caused Real problems and he was clearly impeded by Álvaro Arbeloa but Nicola Rizzoli waved play on.
Vainfully attempting to set Real a challenge, Rodgers positioned Coutinho behind Sterling, operating at the tip of the diamond with Joe Allen tucked in on the left. The right was patrolled by Jordan Henderson, who had clearly been instructed to close down Ronaldo, even fouling the Portuguese in the first minute. Mission impossible.
Many of Ronaldo’s strengths were on parade in front of the Anfield Road End after 23 minutes. The quickness of his feet and mind were seen as he exchanged passes with Benzema 30 yards out and again when picking out James Rodríguez. Ronaldo ran on to Rodríguez’s scooped return. The angle was tightening, and Martin Skrtel was closing him down, but Ronaldo simply met the ball on the half-volley, steering it almost arrogantly over Mignolet.
Celebrating his first goal at Anfield, Ronaldo slid towards the Liverpool fans, his face creasing into a smile. He had scored against Manchester United’s oldest foe. He was within touching distance of Raúl’s European record.
Real’s second arrived on the half-hour. Ronaldo was inevitably involved, setting a move hurtling across the Liverpool area towards Isco and on to Kroos, who lifted the ball to the far post. Johnson dozed off, allowing Benzema to head back across and in.
Real made it 3-0 just before the interval. From a Kroos corner, Liverpool were utterly shambolic, resembling dog walkers tripping over leads in the dark in Stanley Park. Mignolet was too indecisive. Balotelli, Dejan Lovren and Skrtel were too sluggish. Pepe headed back, and Benzema was quickest to the loose ball, flicking it in.
Coutinho did hit a post but Liverpool knew they had been totally outplayed.
Adam Lallana came on to loud cheers, as much for the arrival of the hard-working Englishman as for the exit of Balotelli. Ronaldo was then denied by Mignolet before being replaced with 15 minutes left, his journey to the touchline initially marked by jeers before some thunderous applause from the Liverpool supporters, who also saluted the departing Kroos and Marcelo.
Anfield appreciates class. It wore white on Wednesday night.
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét