Some good Champions League matches (despite it all)

I have already said that I dislike the new format of the Champions League, so I will not dwell into that, but just that I enjoyed this week's CL football which I had the fortune to watch in full as I am in Denmark on vacation.

Real Madrid have been lazy in the tournament and appeared to have their back against the wall as they faced Atalanta in Bergamo. Atalanta, on the other hand, are riding on a wave, as they were second in the CL league and first in Serie A before the match, at home.

But Real Madrid did what they have done so often: won 3-2 in a match where they were not the better side, but were efficient and punished mistakes. Kylian Mbappe, who has not been at his best, scored a splendid first goal early on, with Atalanta deservedly equalizing only on a penalty by Charles de Ketelaere in the last seconds of the first half. Real Madrid put more high pressure on Atalanta's defense in the second half, something that clearly made the Atalanta defenders nervous, and it was this high pressure that gave Vinicius Jr. an easy chance on a rebound that he did not let go to waste. The Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman was a threat throughout the match, and he made it 2-2, and one felt that the tide was now with Atalanta, but Jude Bellingham made it 2-3 on a quick counterattack which caught the Italian defense on a wrong foot.

The Spaniards fought for the victory as the Italians pressured, but carried the day in a good match thanks to the "BMV" (Bellingham-Mbappe-Vinicius).

The other match I watched was between the giants Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona. First half ended 0-0 with Barcelona creating more chances, but not dominating, before the second half where Hansi Flick proved the smartest with his substitutions. Raphinha brought Barcelona ahead 0-1, but barely five minutes later Dortmund was awarded a penalty on a really stupid foul by Pau Cubarsi, and Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy equalized. 

Then Flick substituted three of the most important offensive players: Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha all left the pitch for Fermin Lopez, Frankie de Jong and Ferran Torres. Only five minutes later Ferran Torres scored for Barcelona in what seemed renewed dynamism on the Catalan side, but again Guirassy striked back for Dortmund to make it 2-2. Five minutes to go, and Lamine Yamal appeared with an absolutely splendid pass to Ferran Torres who did not disappoint to make it 2-3 and a victory for Barcelona, who are now second, after Liverpool, in the 36-team CL table....

 

The 15th

I had expected Real Madrid to win their 15th Champions League title, although I must admit I had expected more from Carlo Ancelotti's side, and less from Dortmund, who all in all can hold their heads high.

Borussia Dortmund's fans are among the best in the world, and if it is measured in that, there is no doubt about who the Champions are: Borussia Dortmund fans.

Respect.

In the meantime, Borussia Dortmund played a great first half, where their quick changes of pace left Real Madrid behind. But if anything they forgave too much and faced a Thibaut Courtois who has already won a Champions League for Real Madrid all by himself. Dortmund could easily have been leading 1-0 or 2-0 by halftime, but with 0-0 every fan surely felt that Real Madrid would come back.

Apparently there were no changes in the second half, but Ancelotti switching positions between Kroos, Camavinga and Valverde gave more balance in midfield, and while Dortmund continued playing a good match, things appeared more even until the 76th minute, when the match effectively ended.

Dani Carvajal got highest from a Kroos corner kick at the near post, and brought Madrid ahead 0-1. After all the hard word the reaction from Dortmund was feeble, and Real Madrid instead got more chances, and closed the match after Dortmund defender Ian Maatsen gave the ball away to Bellingham outside the area, and he passed the ball to Vinicius Jr. who scored for 2-0.

2-0 and another title for Real Madrid, who winning La Liga have also had a great season, and even though I am not a fan (at all) I have to grumblingly recognize their greatness.