Madrid (AFP) – It might not be enough to save Julen Lopetegui but Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday stopped the rot and restored some belief.
Barcelona are next at Camp Nou and even without the injured Lionel Messi, Madrid are unlikely to find them as generous if handed the sort of golden chances Plzen were presented with at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But after five games without a win, and three defeats in a row, victory was all-important, and Madrid secured it with a goal in each half from Karim Benzema and Marcelo.
It could have been more comfortable and when Patrik Hrosovsky pulled one back for Plzen with 12 minutes left, a nervy finale ensued. When it was over, there were disgruntled whistles from the home fans.
Lopetegui’s side held on, however, to reassert themselves in Group G, where the reigning champions now sit level on six points with Roma.
Whether he is still in charge for the return fixture in the Czech Republic next month remains to be seen.
Florentino Perez may well have already made up his mind to make a change but there is still the question of timing.
Barcelona would be a cruel opening assignment for a new coach while defeat in a Clasico, perhaps a heavy one, could also kill any potential bounce.
Instead, Lopetegui was still on the touchline here, cajoling and clapping as his team created, and missed, more chances. Wincing as Plzen also squandered theirs.
He left all four of the club’s summer signings on the bench including Alvaro Odriozola, who was replaced at right-back by Lucas Vazquez. Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps a message to the board.
There was gentle applause when Lopetegui’s name was announced before kick-off and Madrid’s players started like they were trying for him too.
Sergio Ramos headed over and then against the post when twice allowed to run free but if they were eager up front, they were nervy at the back too.
Keylor Navas jabbed a difficult pass straight out of play and then had to make a save, as Milan Petrzela raced in behind Vazquez and was denied on the angle by Navas’ thigh.
After weeks of agonising about scoring, Madrid then made it look easy. Vazquez, more comfortable going forward, chipped a cross to the back post, where the lively Benzema timed his run perfectly and nodded in from a yard.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2PNaOjL
No comments:
Post a Comment