Champions League Final (Lisbon) 2014 - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid 4 v 1 Atletico Madrid (After Extra Time) Godin (36), Ramos (90+3), Bale (110), Marcelo (118), Ronaldo penalty (120+1)

Watch the match highlights and goals here

My Opinion:

That was a Champions League final with heaps of drama. Real Madrid were able to field a near full strength team but were unable to play Alonso through suspension. Atletico had Turan suspended for the Final whilst Diego Costa made the starting eleven despite injury fears throughout the week.

The decision to start with Diego Costa didn’t work out as the striker went off after only eight minutes clutching his hamstring. This was a massive blow for Atletico whose main attacking threat was off so early whilst a substitute had to be used up very early in the match. However, it was Atletico who took the lead inside the first half as Casillas made a costly mistake in rushing out and failing to get to the ball first. This allowed Godin to head straight over the keeper to put them in front.

Atletico are an extremely strong defensive unit and proved it once again as they kept Real quiet for the majority of the game. Their tactics were pretty much to foul the Real players as often as they could in order to disrupt their flow. It certainly worked really well on Ronaldo who just couldn’t get into the game after being fouled every time he was on the ball. However, Bale had Real’s best chances during the 90 minutes but surprisingly spurned every one of them.

It really was quite a heroic defensively display from Atletico and they came within two minutes of winning the Champions League. Incredibly, wave after wave of attacks, Ramos headed in an equalizer from a Modric corner to send Real into extra time which came much to the relief of Ancelotti, the Real players and their fans.

Extra time belonged to Real as they dominated an Atletico team who were just unable to cope with the situation. It took until the second half of extra time for Real to go in front but it came from Gareth Bale, who scored a tough header at the far post that just made its way inside the post. Delirium erupted amongst the Real players whilst Atletico were all but out for the count. Marcelo came off the bench and took advantage of some tired Atletico defenders, running through the defence before firing a low shot that Courtois probably should have kept out but didn’t. The night wouldn’t have been complete without a certain Cristiano Ronaldo scoring in Lisbon and it came right at the last moment. He was brought down inside the box and then coolly slotted the penalty into the back of the net.

A gutting night for Atletico who came so close to rounding off such an amazing season with the Champions League title. They won La Liga and can be proud of their efforts this season but tonight belonged to Real. I thought they were the better team and deserved to win but they left it really late. Ramos proved to be their saviour whilst it was great to see Bale and Ronaldo both score in extra time.

My man of the match was Sergio Ramos

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Champions League Semi Final leg 2

Chelsea 1 v 3 Atletico Madrid Torres (36), Lopez (44), Costa (60pen), Turan (72)
(Atletico Madrid win 3-1 on Aggregate)
First Half: Koke hits the bar with a cross. Willian strikes a free kick over the bar at the near side. Luiz hits an overhead kick just wide of the far post. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea take the lead as Torres scores with a low shot across goal that deflects into the far side from a low Azpilicueta cross. Goal! 1-1, Atletico equalize as Lopez converts a shot into the near top corner.
Half Time: 1-1.
Second Half: Turan has an effort palmed over at the near side. Terry has a header parried away. Penalty! Diego Costa is fouled inside the box by Eto'o. Goal! 1-2, Atletico come from behind to lead as Diego Costa scores from the spot with a high strike into the near side. Luiz heads against the near post before having an effort parried over. Goal! 1-3, Atletico seal the tie as Turan heads against the bar before tucking in from the rebound into the far bottom corner. Hazard has a low shot well stopped by the keeper. Hazard has a low shot saved.
Full Time: 1-3.



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Turan. Atletico to meet Real in Madrid derby Final. Chelsea were knocked out of the champions league semi-finals after falling flat in the second half. They made a strong start to the match and took the lead thanks to Torres. It seemed like the first goal could have proven to be the winning goal and all looked good for Chelsea. However, they failed to make it into half time without conceding which meant that Chelsea had to score again to go through. This forced Mourinho into a more attacking formation which led to Eto'o coming on off the bench. However, he made a disastrous impact by giving away a silly penalty soon after coming on. This put Chelsea 2-1 down on the night but they now needed two more goals to progress. It just didn't work out and they conceded again which ended the tie. It could be argued that one moment of madness throughout the two legs proved significant in the outcome of the tie and I agree that the penalty changed everything. Chelsea could have scored in the second half to win 2-1 but in the end it is another missed opportunity. 
Atletico just keep surprising everybody and continued their incredible season with a place in the champions league final. Despite failing to score in the first leg, they more than made up for it in the second with three goals. They were on the back foot in the first half but scoring that vital away goal before half time was a hueg turning point. All they needed to do was hang on and they were through. However, they were gifted a penalty and Diego Costa made no mistakes, despite taking an absolute age to place the ball on the spot. That put Atletico firmly in control of the tie and they only grew stronger as the game went on. Turan killed the game off with a third goal for Atletico, sending Simeone running down the touchline in sheer delight. It makes for an intriguing final this year with both teams coming from Madrid. Real will most likely go in as favourites but Atletico could cause yet another surprise and win. 

Best Goal: Turan - Watch the Goal here

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Champions League Semi Final Second Leg

Bayern Munich 0 v 4 Real Madrid Ramos (16,20), Ronaldo (34,90)
(Real Madrid win 5-0 on aggregate)
First Half: Bale volleys over an open goal from long range. Goal! 0-1, Madrid take the lead as Ramos heads into the centre of goal from a Modric corner. Goal! 0-2, Ramos scores again with yet another header, this time from a Di Maria free kick into the far bottom corner following Pepe's flicked header. Ribery fires a low shot across goal wide of the far post. Ronaldo drags a low shot from long range wide of the far post. Goal! 0-3, Madrid break as Bale powers through the defence before squaring to Ronaldo who scores with a low shot under the keeper at the near side. Ronaldo sends a long range effort that bounces wide of an open goal. Robben fires a free kick over the near side.
Half Time: 0-3 (0-4).
Second Half: Alaba has an effort cleared over the ball by Ramos. Martinez heads over the bar. Robben curls a long range shot just wide of the far post. Coentrao has an effort parried away. Kroos fires a shot from the edge of the box just over the near top corner. Goal! 0-4, Ronaldo scores with a low free kick that goes under the wall and into the near side. Alaba has a free kick saved.
Full Time: 0-4 (0-5).



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Ramos. Real Madrid thump Bayern in Munich. Bayern knew they had to score to get back into the tie and pressed forward which came to no surprise. However, they went two goals behind on the night as Ramos pounced from two free kicks. It was poor defending that cost them the two goals which put them in a terrible situation. They now needed to score four goals to go through. This forced them to push more players forward which left them far too open at the back. As a result, Ronaldo and Bale profited and killed the game tie off before half time. That result may come as a huge shock to many fans but it just proved how important an away goal can be in the champions leauge. They failed to score at the Bernabeau and left themselves plenty to do in Munich. It didn't work this time but I'm sure they will be back next year with a strong challenge, especially after signing Lewandowski.
That was a counter attacking masterclass from Real Madrid who were just too good for Bayern tonight. They held the advantage from the first leg and capitalised on it with an outstanding first half. Ramos was incredible and scored two unexpected goals from set plays. The game just played fully into their hands as Ronaldo and Bale's pace was almost impossible to defend on the counter. The two combined for their third goal whilst Ronaldo scored a very clever free kick right at the death. It was the German's who dominated European football last year but there was a changing of the guard tonight as Bayern got blown away. I'm delighted to see Real in the final as it is just an absolute joy to watch both Ronaldo and Bale at work.

Best Goal: Ronaldo - Watch the Goal here

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Champions League Semi Final First Leg

Real Madrid 1 v 0 Bayern Munich Benzema (19)
First Half: Robben fires a strike from the edge of the box on the turn just wide of the near post. Goal! 1-0, Madrid take the lead as Coentrao fires in a low cross which Benzema casually taps in at the far post. Ronaldo fluffs a really good chance over the bar. Di Maria blazes an effort from close range over the bar.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Ronaldo has a low shot across goal parried at the near post. Ronaldo has a low shot from the edge of the box turned past the near post. Muller fires a strike from the edge of the box, that takes a slight deflection, wide of the of the near post. Gotze has a volley stopped by a great save at the centre of goal. Bale strikes an effort from an acute angle into the side-netting.
Full Time: 1-0.



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Coentrao. Real Madrid's tactics of playing on the counter attack paid off as they head to the Allianz arena with a strong advantage. Benzema scored the only goal of the game in what turned out to be Madrid's night. It really could have been two or three for Real as Ronaldo and Di Maria missed golden opportunities in the first half. Ronaldo threatened the Bayern goal with a few stinging shots but Neuer was on hand to keep them out. Real defended really well and will be delighted that they didn't concede an away goal. The result means that Real will be able to sit back and counter in the second leg which suits their style of play down to a tee. I fancy Madrid to score in Munich and can see them progressing into the final.
Bayern dominated possession, much like they did against Man United, but they failed to make it count. There was no real cutting edge as they just passed the ball around the box for the majority of the match. They were caught out on the break for the goal and could easily have found themselves a couple more down. Neuer made some top saves to keep it a 1-0 but they will be disappointed to have not scored a crucial away goal. Muller came close with a deflected shot but Gotze had their best chance really well saved by Casillas during the second half. It will be a big task for the current champions to overcome Madrid in the second leg but I wouldn't rule them out just yet. 

Best Goal: Benzema - Watch the Goal here

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Champions League Semi Final (First Leg)

Atletico Madrid 0 v 0 Chelsea
First Half: Cech tips a corner over the bar but lands heavily on his ribs, forcing the keeper off. Ramires fires a cross/shot wide across goal. Raul Garcia heads over the bar. Mario Suarez fires a long range blast just wide of the near post. Diego Costa has a volley blocked by Azpilicueta.
Half Time: 0-0
Second Half: Lampard has a long range shot saved. Diego has a low shot from the edge of the box saved. Torres goes past three defenders but has a shot from the edge of the box saved at the near side. Gabi hits a free kick that deflects off the wall before being parried past the near post. Turan heads wide at the near post. Raul Garcia heads a looping header over the bar. Diego Costa has a header blocked by Cahill. Luiz fires a free kick wide of the near post. Diego Costa has a header saved.
Full Time: 0-0.



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cahill. Atletico controlled most of the game and were largely on the front foot. However, they failed to score which keeps the tie nicely balanced. They created plenty of chances but just couldn't prise open a stern Chelsea defence. Diego Costa, Raul Garcia and Gabi all had decent chances scuppered but they will be pleased that they didn't concede an away goal. I would say the tie now favours Atletico who just need to avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge to reach the final. 
Chelsea clearly came with a plan and that was to defend, defend and defend some more. A classic and typical Mourinho performance away from home who set the team up to play on the counter attack and not concede. Well they didn't concede but equally and if not more importantly, they failed to grab an away goal. Ramires, Lampard and Luiz all had chances but it didn't look likely that they were going to get an away goal from the way they were playing. Losing Cech was a big loss early on in the game but Scharwzer coped very well having not played that much this season and coming on in a champions league semi-final. I'm sure Mourinho will fancy his team to beat Atletico in the return leg but it is a high risk strategy that he opts to go with in Europe. It paid off against PSG but it may prove tougher to do the same against Atletico. 

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