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Óscar Bellot
Madrid
Miércoles, 29 de enero 2025, 23:11
Rodrygo's brace and a goal from Bellingham ensured Real Madrid's victory in Brittany, but it was ultimately insufficient and potentially detrimental to their ambitions. The Brazilian's second consecutive brace in the top continental competition, along with Bellingham's goal, allowed Carlo Ancelotti's team to fulfill part of the equation needed for direct access to the round of 16. However, other external factors, crucial for the desired outcome, failed, condemning them to the playoffs.
They will face a challenging playoff in the round of 32, where they could encounter either a formidable opponent or an easier one, but in any case, they will need to apply themselves diligently. As Courtois highlighted beforehand, they should have worked harder earlier, instead of behaving like a lazy student relying on last-minute help.
There was no miracle for Real Madrid, but they took satisfaction in performing their duties decently in a match where Brest once again demonstrated the rebellious spirit that has made them one of the Champions League's surprises. They fought bravely, matched the fifteen-time European champions, and will approach the round of 32 with heads held high after another night of excitement in Guingamp, where the Breton fans honored Modric, saw their team contain Mbappé, and enjoyed the pirates' attacks on Courtois' goal, crucial for preventing Real Madrid from keeping a clean sheet in this Champions League.
Brest
Bizot, Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Pereira Lage, Camara (Del Castillo, min. 70), Fernandes, Magnetti (Faivre, min. 61), Doumbia (Lees-Melou, min. 61), Ajorque (Salah, min. 79) and Baldé (Sima, min. 70).
0
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3
Real Madrid
Courtois, Lucas Vázquez (Asencio, min. 82), Tchouaméni (Alaba, min. 82), Rüdiger, Mendy, Modric (Modric, min. 87), Valverde, Bellingham (Ceballos, min. 82), Brahim (Arda Güler, min. 72), Mbappé and Rodrygo.
Goals: 0-1: min. 27, Rodrygo. 0-2: min. 56, Bellingham. 0-3: min. 78, Rodrygo.
Referee: Espen Eskas (Norway). Booked Pereira Lage, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Ancelotti, and Bellingham.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the eighth round of the Champions League, played at Stade du Roudourou.
Ancelotti refreshed the full-backs compared to last Saturday's league match in Valladolid and returned the midfield command to Modric, who was expected to impose his authority against one of the best ball thieves in the Champions League.
Real Madrid needed a well-oiled engine room to launch an offensive storm, as scoring a good number of goals was essential for them to maintain their chances of being among the chosen ones in the 'photo finish'.
However, those expecting a lightning war from the visitors were soon disappointed. Instead of Ancelotti's troops delivering the energetic performance anticipated, it was Brest who showed their teeth first after a foggy start to a match that began five minutes late due to flares.
Brest's players, more like piranhas than pirates, threatened with a couple of bites. It was enough for Real Madrid to shake off their lethargy. Rodrygo opened his jaws, heading a great cross from Lucas Vázquez. Bizot saved the first strike from the Osasco Thunderbolt, but could do nothing against the next lightning bolt. The Paulista aimed for the corner and struck unerringly from the edge of the area with his left foot, defeating the former Ajax youth player.
Brest tried to recover, sacrificing in defense and showing courage in attack. Baldé came close to equalizing with a superb volley, but it was slightly off target. Such a shot required the skills of a magician like Zinedine Zidane. Just ask Éric Roy, ZZ's desk mate. Magnetti also tried his luck with a cross-shot that threatened Courtois' top corner while the Belgian, whose prayers were answered, crossed his fingers.
Although Brest was not willing to be an easy victim, Real Madrid needed to make an impact as news from the rest of Europe occasionally gave them hope of even winning the jackpot. Mbappé missed a one-on-one with Bizot just before an offside call denied Ajorque the equalizer. Bellingham then raised the stakes, capitalizing on Mbappé's decoy move to slot Lucas Vázquez's pass into the net.
Brest sought to catch their breath with the introduction of Lees-Melou, their tallest player, and threatened to close the gap with a fabulous shot from Lala, deflected by Courtois with an equally extraordinary save. Rodrygo could have widened the gap with a stunning goal after an amazing dribble, but Bizot reacted in time, and there were no more flashes of brilliance or miracles for a team that will face either City or Celtic in the round of 32.
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