Real Madrid-Villarreal Madrid dies killing

There is something that you will not find in the showcases of the Madrid museum and that, nevertheless, represents it as much as that long and silver collection that is exhibited there: be admirable in defeat. It is customary in the house, although there were times when it was lost. And this Madrid without a goal, without strength, even without a stadium, full of altar boys at the end, full of mitigating factors and with only one aggravation, having undressed its staff excessively in a pandemic course, he died at the last moment of the last day. Merit of Zidane and his thirty-year-old guard, determined to win after winning. This time it did not reach them, but the Frenchman and the group left a clue: there was no lack of sweat but a template. And in his effort so that the group does not falter, the coach, owner of his finals, is about to do it. He still hasn't said he's gone and they're already being missed.

Match by match goes for everyone. Also for Emery, who threw the house out the window with the eleven so as not to lose a bullet, although uncertain, because he kept another, no less uncertain. Di Stéfano's eleven will be remarkably similar to the one he will present in Gdansk against United, another European shark, in the all-time match for the Submarine. Thus he saved the cleanliness of the competition and also that of his conscience, in case all fails on Wednesday.

In Madrid, Zidane did not dare with Ramos, in a game that was half crucial, half sentimental. But he put the just-in-case above anything else, with the Stamford Bridge wound open. That was an improper alignment. Only the exclusion of Nacho, a headline disguised as an exemplary substitute, and the insistence on Asensio, on whom the mission may have to be aborted, can only be discussed.

A fainted Madrid

The match yellowed out. There was the false impression that Madrid was singing “we have come here,” that there was no faith in the deposit. Forces long since exhausted. And also that there was a great team in front. Parejo proves that you can play very well without going third; Gerard Moreno, who has more danger than fame; Albiol, that football has no age; Yeremi Pino, that what is cooking is worth it. The extreme situation called for an express goal from Madrid to attack Atlético's nervous system, to terrorize the favorite, but the white team seemed to leave without the emotion that the title smells like.

And in those, two unexpected goals, one from Valladolid and another from Yeremi Pino, who punctured a ball at medium height in the area served by Gerard Moreno and sent it over the net with a subtle touch. Deserved punishment to a Madrid without fire in the body.

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After the quarter of the game Asensio hit a high header at the near post, the closest thing to a white chance. And a lost ball hit Parejo's hand, one of those issues that were ignored by the penal code five years ago and which are now penalties or not depending on how the lift blows. An almost nothing for a very flat team, disbelieving and in a hurry at each Villarreal exit, a team of very high elaboration, with justified airs of greatness.

Benzema, infected

Near the break, Modric was able to hit the key with a deflected shot, but nothing in Madrid remembered the solemnity of the moment. Neither Asensio nor Vinicius found their fortune in space. Valverde did not offer the impetus required in a team at the limit. The group pressed little and badly and broke off in the face of losses. Even Benzema was pale, without precision or finish. A general blackout at the worst moment and in the only inadmissible scenario: failure to rebound.

Neither is Villarreal the ideal enemy to play tremendously, because he keeps the ball well, he stops time, put out fires well.

Since that was going to be resolved on a tileZidane put Isco in, because that is his field, but at this point he is not treading on it with panache either. Rodrygo also arrived, the one with the most goal than was left in the closet. But before Benzema had scored a goal that the VAR invalidated. It was, like so many, a matter of centimeters, but there is no room for interpretation. Correa's goal in Zorrilla was the double setback to the whites.

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A load of fruit

Only then did Madrid become aware of the situation, with a more effective first pressure, with more air on the wings, with faster recoveries. The change of scenery also affected Villarreal, who could no longer look beyond midfield. Emery's message went in that direction as well. He removed Bacca to put a side, Rubén Peña, coinciding with Atlético's second goal in Zorrilla. The second door began to close to Madrid as well.

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The last news of Zidane's team in this league was a desperate charge, with three more changes and a defense of three. Benzema missed two very clear occasions, but by then the hopeless news had also reached Villarreal. And Madrid ended up fulfilling its obligation. In the Benzema and Modric desserts, the flags of the season, they turned the game around in the last attack of bullfighting shame. The only thing that has not been lacking in the course. Now the ball goes to the box, perhaps without Zidane, perhaps without Ramos, who watched from the bench what could be his last game in Madrid. Change the cycle and it will hurt.