UEFA Champions League Final: Post-Game Thoughts

image from bbc.co.uk

So yesterday, I made a trip to the pub and watched the Champions League Final between crosstown rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. After the game, I avoided reading any post-game reports put out by the media because I didn't want my thoughts of the match to be influenced by those reports. The events of what happened are still fresh in my mind.

Before the game started, I thought Real Madrid was doing to dictate the play in the midfield, even without Xabi Alonso, who was suspended, while Atletico rely on their superior defensive prowess and hit Real on the counter. One of the reasons I thought this was because Atletico lacked their primary scoring threat, Diego Costa, as he went down with a hamstring injury in the last game of their season. With the nature of hamstring injuries, I thought there was no way Costa would come back from injury in only a week, even with the "horse placenta" treatment he went through. Turns out, I was wrong.

Diego Costa was actually in the starting 11 for Atletico Madrid, which I'm sure surprised many, because it sure surprised me. One of two things was going to happen. The horse placenta will miraculously heal his hamstring, or he will have to come off very early in the match because his injury was re-aggravated. Turns out, the latter was true, and it got me thinking. Why did Atletico Madrid risk further injury for Diego Costa by starting him? Looking back at that, it was a bonehead move by Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, and I will argue that the extra substitution that Atletico Madrid could have had by not starting Diego Costa would have helped them later in the match.

On to the 1st half, I'd say it was pretty even between the two Madrid teams. They were both organized defensively and cut out each other's attacks. I noticed that the link-up play with Atletico Madrid, especially between Gabi, Koke, Tiago, and David Villa were well orchestrated. With Real Madrid, they relied more on Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield and Angel Di Maria running at the Atletico back four drawing fouls outside the box. Real Madrid sorely missed Xabi Alonso's vision and passing, as I thought Sami Khedira had a poor game, giving away the ball regularly to the opposition. I was particularly frustrated with Gareth Bale's performance in the match. Bale, who was bought for 100 million Euros, had a great chance to get Real on the board first, but he hit his shot wide. I also have to say something about Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his role in Atletico's goal in the 1st half. If you're going to come out for the ball, you better make sure you either catch it, or punch it out. Casillas did neither, and he was left in no man's land as Diego Godin headed the ball in the net.

In the 2nd half, it was Atletico Madrid that looked more intent to score than Real. It was clear that for the majority of the second half, Atletico wanted this trophy more than Real did, as they constantly out-hustled them to the ball almost every time. Real's attempts at goal were easily stuffed by the Atleti defence and for a little bit, it seemed like Atletico Madrid were going to win the trophy. Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was having a very good match, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were non-factors in the match. Gareth Bale once again had a golden chance to score, but he forgot he had a right foot, and instead used his left foot to hit the ball into the side netting. By the 80th minute, Real Madrid woke up, and began to lay siege to the Atletico goal, with Atletico trying all they can to hold on to their lead. Atletico were so close to holding on to the win, but they couldn't hold on. In the 93rd minute of the match, Sergio Ramos headed in the equalizing goal from a corner to save Real's blushes and to crush Atletico's hopes and dreams. Going into extra time, all the momentum was with Real Madrid, and Atletico had to pick themselves up physically and mentally.

In extra time, Real Madrid continued to turn up the heat and pressure Atletico Madrid, which was rewarded with Gareth Bale getting a dream winner. Honestly, I loved that it was him that got the game winner because it made up for his missed chances earlier in the match, and it helps to validate his massive price tag. Atletico were completely exhausted and this was where they could have had that extra substitution if they didn't start Diego Costa, as Atletico could have used an extra pair of fresh legs. Real Madrid added a Marcelo goal, and a Ronaldo penalty to put themselves up 4-1 in the match. However, I thought Ronaldo's celebration after scoring the penalty was a bit excessive. There was also an incident with Simeone and Raphael Varane which had Simeone running out of his technical area like a madman to confront Varane. Apparently Varane kicked a ball at Simeone and then Simeone kicked the ball back at him. I'm not excusing Varane's actions, but for a manager, Simeone acted like a complete child.

The match finishes and Real Madrid are the European champions for a 10th time. It was a heated an entertaining affair, and a great match for the neutral.

Now to turn my attention to the World Cup...