FanPost

Half the job done.




1617748396_136272_noticia_normal.0.jpg

Vinicius is all of us right now.

For many football `experts' on twitter and most of social media, Zinedine Zidane never fit into the mould of a `Tactical Genius'. And yet time after time, game after game, when the odds are stacked against Los Blancos, on the biggest of stages, with potentially the season on the line, Zinedine Zidane and his group of players somehow always deliver. Some people say Zizou's got black magic. Whatever it is, it works. And it worked very well on Tuesday night.

A Tactically Strong Performance:

Zidane had to make a last minute change to the starting 11 with Militao coming in in place of Varane who tested positive for covid. Panic ensued. Hopes were lost. Yet, Eder Militao put in, what was in my opinion, his best performance in a Real Madrid shirt. Alongside Nacho, who himself is playing some of the best football of his career, Militao was alert throughout the game, clearing aerial balls which came inside the box, read the game very well, made some crucial interceptions and positioned himself very well throughout the game.

Real Madrid started the game with a 4-3-3 formation with Zidane's trusted Casemiro - Modric - Kroos midfield. Casemiro played a very efficient game dropping back in the defensive line whenever required and also helped to stifle many of Liverpool's attacks with key interceptions all over the pitch. When looking at Luka Modric on screen, no one can guess he is 35 years old. He never got tired. He was crucial in linking defense with attack, controlling the game in the final third and occasionally dropped back in the defensive line to help.

But undoubtedly, Toni Kroos changed the game. The ever efficient German was instrumental in this win playing a pin point long ball from inside his own half to Vinicius Jr. who controlled immaculately and finished brilliantly past Allison. There's a reason they call him the German Sniper. And yet, Kroos did so much more. With Modric, Kroos helped execute the game plan to perfection. Los Blancos were rightly criticized for their offensive rigidness this season. But on Tuesday night, the opposite was true. Real Madrid were fluid and cohesive in all departments. One or two sequences where Real played out from the back were outstanding. Benzema's movement was a constant problem for the Liverpool defenders and both Asensio and Vini took advantage of it. Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vasquez both put in strong performances on defense. Lucas Vasquez' growth as a full back needs to be appreciated.

Summary:

It won't be an understatement to say that Vinicius Jr. well and truly announced himself on the world stage yesterday. Always criticized for his lack of ability to finish chances, Vini Jr. sure left no room for criticism yesterday. The margin of error on that first goal was so less that had Vini even slightly over or under controlled the ball, the chance would have been gone. Yet he produced the perfect touch and converted.

The tie is far from over. Liverpool have a away goal and Los Blancos will have to play another perfect 90, or who knows, 120 minutes of football. But yesterday's result was nevertheless refreshing and will no doubt provide a boost for the game on Sunday against Barcelona.