It is apparent that Real Madrid still has not learned the lessons of the past and now is stuck in a very complicated situation. Maybe they believed their own hype and under appreciated their rival or the decima is not meant to be just yet. Whatever the case may be it now seems Madrid are doomed to be eaten alive at the sacred grounds of Anfield. A 0-0 result may not have been an ideal score but it would have been better than a 0-1 defeat which pretty much kills any chances of at least going through to the next round. First off it is quite obvious that the calamity of the Lass-Huntalaar signup confusion has played its role in Madrid’s performance. Huntalaar was key in the last two matches where Madrid had showed improvement in their game and against Liverpool it was apparent that his presence was sorely missed. With Huntalaar there was an assurance of goals but better yet he opened the spaces for Higuain and Raul to move through while he distracted the defense. Simply put Madrid were a more forward minded team with the tall Dutch boy. Too bad he had too watch the match from his couch. Then there is Juande’s mistake of taking off Marcelo, in a newly discovered position, had played a good first half. With the entrance of Guti Madrid loss attacking power up front. Guti one of those frustrating geniuses that when the light bulb clicks on are purely magic and splendor, however, that is only when he feels like turning the light bulb on and that’s where Guti’s problem lies. Therefore you never know what you are going to get with Don Guti. Another problem came with Juande’s lack of ambition or daringness. With the time and ideas running out Juande never dared to put in Sneijder or Van der Vaart, who either one of them could have offered a little something extra to the attack. Towards the end it was quite visible that there was a huge gap between the two strikers and those who are supposed to deliver creativity. There was a fracture which led to disorganization and lack of possession. We began to see sloppy passes and desperation leading to errors like the one Heinze committed in a very dangerous zone. Free kick and Benayoun’s goal. A goal from one of Liverpool’s shortest players; I find it hard to believe that at this stage such silly mistakes in defending could cause Madrid’s elimination once again.
Now to 'thrash' Liverpool at Anfield?
Benitez, the genius that he is set up a tactically defensive team, which for the most part was looking for a scoreless draw, and now ends up returning to Liverpool with a very satisfying result. Liverpool they never seize to amaze me and at the Bernabeau they proved why the Champions League always suits them to perfection. Although there are 90 minutes left to this game it certainly looks like the Reds have one foot set in the next round while Madrid can add another year of European failure. Madrid will have to grow a pair and leave their heart, blood, and tears at Anfield in order to win. However, even with all of that it may not be enough to bring down Liverpool. For the moment the road to Rome looks much further away and almost intangible.
