Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (aggregate 5-0)
Instead, it was the fifth successive failure to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League, Madrid barely touched the ball and were taught a lesson by Liverpool, and Iker's tears were of embarrassment and shame.
In 180 minutes of football, Real Madrid, the team who pride their history on their record in Europe's biggest competition, failed to score. Liverpool's keeper Pepe Reina simply had to palm off the odd potshot or a rare effort from inside the box. Iker, on the other hand, spared the rest of his teammates (and the club) further blushes with some outstanding saves. It was a battering from Liverpool, who thoroughly deserved to progress to the next round.
It is often said that at this stage of the Champions League, teams need luck. It is true that at 1-0, Madrid came out second best in that respect. Gabriel Heinze's hands and arms were nowhere near touching the ball (plus even had it not hit his shoulder and touched his arm it was more ball to hand than anything). Yet the penalty was awarded. Steven Gerard dealt the first of his hammer blows to Madrid's ambition. The second came right after the break, the midfielder side-footing in his second to round off a stunning move and make it 3-0. Game over.
Dossena would add a fourth, and the rout - started by Fernando Torres - was completed. Were it not for Casillas it could have been more. Liverpool perhaps deserved more, the scousers were light years ahead of Real Madrid in their desire, courage, and tactical approach. Real Madrid looked like a second rate team who had got lucky making into Europe in the first place. If anyone is in any doubt of the image offered by the team tonight, here is a sample of some of the headlines:
UEFA.com - Lethal Liverpool too much for Madrid
The Independent - Reds humble Spanish giants with Anfield masterclass
The Guardian - Wrecking ball Gerrard makes rubble of Real as Liverpool walk on air
Marca - What a steal!
AS - Crash and burn
La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy) - Liverpool show Real
Globo (Brazil) - Liverpool massacre Real
Olé - Red with shame
(lets not forget the oracle of truth and objectivity, realmadrid.com with their 'Liverpool take the tie')
Not even clawing back the six point difference and winning the league title will change the image of the club right now. When and where it matters - in Europe - Real Madrid are no longer a force to be reckoned with, no matter what past glory and legendary players the club's name may conjure up. This evening, the road back to respectability and competitiveness in Europe looks like a long one.
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7 comments:
It's a REAL shocking result!!!
Everything just went the right way for Liverpool.
Your title is apt.
Our performance was just absolutely shameful.
Nuff said.
What shocking result?
Real Madrid simply faced reality. They are mediocre at this level.
Until they make some difficult decisions they will continue to be mediocre.
If you will not get angry I will assess the Real situation from a Barca fan's perspective. Real's real problem started with Galacticos policy. Remember the team which made way to the Galacticos was the best I have seen apart from Barcelona 2006 and Manu(2008) in Europe. The Galacticos policy backfired and resulted in the realisation that defense is the most important part. Where it went wrong was the fact that Real started approaching games a bit more defensively. Coaches like Capellocdidn't help the matter even though he won the title. Real Madrid once used to play an atatcking brand of football. But now they play a bit of waiting game, in which the Italians snd English are too good.
So the solution is to buy some good players. Ronaldo is not going to solve your problem. In current setup Kaka would be a great buy(eventhough I don't want that to happen). But importantly give the youngsters from the youth academy a decent run, you may unearth some great talent there.
hi there anonymous, not angry at all, great to have comments from a different perspective. Not sure I agree about the defense part though, Barcelona are hardly built on a watertight back four, and have an awful keeper, but play great attacking football and always entertain. Madrid are a long way away from doing that. Totally agree on the Ronaldo won't solve anything Kaká will help out point.
Caracoleo - what difficult decisions do you mean? Tell all...
I can think of a couple. It seems Florentino is decided at the very least to send Raúl to the bench. I don't know how well he'll tackle the rest of problems, though.
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