In the UEFA Champions league, Round of 16, Real Madrid once again demonstrated their European resilience over Premier league giant Manchester City. A hat trick from Federico Valverde highlighted the individual brilliance from the men in white.
Manchester City under Pep Guardiola started their possession game by keeping Haaland upfront as a lone striker. Their tactics was to pull Madrid’s defensive fullbacks and exploit their flanks. But on the other hand Madrid under manager Alvaro Arbeola directs his team to absorb the whole pressure and counter when they get opportunities. In the 20th Valverde scored his first of three goals; from a direct long ball from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtios. In the 27th minute of the game Valverde scored his 2nd with his left foot assisted by Vinicius and it was 3-0 in the first half courtesy of Federico Valverde again now the assist was from Moroccon star Brahmin Diaz.
In the second half the visitors started with immense pressure to equalize; but the defender especially Antonio Rudiger did not let Haaland play freely that is why he had 0 shots. The home got another chance to extend their lead, thanks to a penalty in the 59th minute but Vini Jr could not make it count due to a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnaruma.
Approx 76,066 fans in the iconic Santiago Bernabue witnessed a brilliant game of football from Federico Valverde as he became only the second midfielder in Real Madrid history to score hat trick in Champions League history after Pirri in 1968.
The outcome maintained the reputation of Real Madrid as a miracle club and taught Manchester City that possession game does not help always.
By Shovan Sundar Das
