What a great match it was at Cardiff! At the end, Real Madrid came out the top and deservingly won the 12th Champions League title.The game was a thrilling one with a lot of talking points for both the sides but eventually, Real Madrid was the one who took their chances brilliantly with their experience.
We saw a game of two halves where both the teams showed what they can do so the game can be analyzed as two halves and in my opinion, both the performances of the team came from the two halves the first half was Juventus and second half, Madrid.
First Half Analysis
Juventus was the determined side after the start of the game at Cardiff trying to score every time they get a hold of the ball. Higuain Mandzukic and Pjanic was a constant threat for the Los Blancos as they troubled the defenders and took couple of shots on goal which could have been game changing if not for those saved by Keylor Navas
Such an instance was when Higuain dribbled past Casemiro and took a great shot on goal. Another one came soon, as a poor header by Varane gave the ball to Pjanic who had a great shot at goal which was saved by Keylor heroics. Mandzukic was also a constant threat on ball combining with Alex Sandro both the players made things difficult for Dani Carvajal.
The Real midfield seems bewildered at times. Excluding Modric, the other three midfielders were not up to standards pointing out Isco was worst of all with his lack of movements in the first half which gave the other Madrid midfielders no choice to put the ball up front.
Marcelo and Dani Carvajal seems to struggle a lot due to the attacking role of both Alex Sandro and Dani Alves due to the Juventus formation.Marcelo had a nearly invisible first half, unable to go forward due to constant attack of Dani Alves.Similar was the case of Dani Carvajal where he had similar instances with Mario Madnzukic in support to Alex Sandro which cause him to finally receive a yellow card.
Surprisingly, Real Madrid was the one to open the scoresheet while Juve was asleep that caused them this goal. The Real midfield was able to bypass Juventus pressing and found space ahead to find the goal. it wonderful team play against the run of play at the 20th minute and Real talisman Cristiano Ronaldo putting the ball past Buffon with a wonderful finish.
20min - Luka Modric - Toni Kroos - Benzema - Cristiano - Carvajal -Cristiano - Goal
The goal alerted Juve and they started attacking more. Not long after they found the net after a long ball from Leonardo Bonucci which found a way to Mandzukic who finished it by a glorious overhead kick which pulled them back to the game.
27min - Bonucci - Sandro - Higuain - Mandzukic - Goal
Even though Juventus were dominating the half there were few players that didn't live up to the mark. Dybala was one of those players who rarely was in the game with his standards he failed to live up to that and eventually got substituted in the second half. A similar case was with Khedira where he could not provide the support needed for Pjanic which was a case in the whole game.
After the goal both the teams settled a bit and calm things down and about 40 mins approaching Madrid gain the possession with their midfielders seem to find the rhythm back and try to score one before the break.
Players of 1st half
Luka modric,Raphael Varane,Alex sandro Mario Mandzukic Dani Alves
Second Half Analysis
Both teams came on tho the pitch with one thing on mind - capitalize with a goal, but Juventus were unable to replicate the performance they did in the first half and the tactical switch from Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane found out to be the key to Madrid victory. Isco's good movement which was lacking in the first half, made Madrid midfielders to find space up front and to retain possession.They had the upper hand since then and seemed to score with their attacks which eventually came at the 61st minute when Casemiro's shot got deflected from Khedira and found the back of the net.
61min - Isco - Kroos - Casemiro - Goal
The Madrid midfield which was missing in the first half dominated the second half throughout.Even after the second goal, Juventus doesn't seem to care and they paid the ultimate price for it. A crucial third goal came in for Madrid thanks to Luka Modric after a fine play by the Los Blancos. Modric snatches the ball from Mario Mandzukic and delivers a low cross to Ronaldo who found the back of the net for the second time.
64min - Luka Modric - Carvajal - Luka Modric - Ronaldo - Goal
There was no comeback for Juventus from that point as they were completely outplayed. Keylor Navas after the first half saves never faced a shot from Juventus. Dybala and Higuain were very poor may be due to the inability of the Juventus midfielders to dominate the game. Only Alex Sandro, Mario Mandzukic, and Dani Alves tried to go forward to cause some problems.
Max Allegri tried to change the game with some substitutions such as Cuadrado but never really worked anything and finally, Cuadrado got sent off in a controversial manner.
The final and only important chance that came in Juventus way were in the 82nd minute when a free kick the conceded by Ramos. The free kick taken by Dani Alves was flicked by Alex Sandro just wide of the post. It was as close as Juventus came in the second half and if that went in, that would have been a thrilling climax to the game.
Madrid continues to dominate the game and Juventus sat back astounded and more attacks came from Madrid in the dying minutes. The final goal of the game came from the youngster Marco Asensio from a typical Marcelo style of play and a simple finish from the youngster considering his quality.
The score line should have been bigger if not for Madrid's inability to finish at some instances.
90min - Marcelo - Asensio - Goal
Juventus defenders also need some criticism just as the midfielders. The first Madrid goal came from a mistake of Chiellini as he was unaware of Ronaldo's presence in the box and was completely free in the box.
The third Madrid goal was a result of two reasons. One is Modric brilliance and the other is Ronaldo's unpredictable movement inside the box. Taking nothing away from Ronaldo, but Bonucci could have marked him better in that tight space considering his quality and the form he was in.
Players of 2nd half
Luka Modric, Casemiro, Crisitano Ronaldo, Alex Sandro, Dani Alves
Conclusion
It was Madrid who deserves the cup in every sense considering their game in the second half which changed the course of the game. Juventus were threatening at the initial stages but their inability to convert chances in the first half has caused them the loss. The Juventus midfielders were unable to keep up the pressing they had done in the first half which allowed Madrid dominate the game.
Juventus had a successful campaign and losing the Champions League will never erase that and they were better than last year even losing many key players and they will be looking forward to next year.
As for Madrid, they achieved what was thought to be impossible, to retain the champions league and they deserve every credit for that and they will be looking forward to next season for greater achievements.
EmoticonEmoticon