real Madrid
Lille players celebrate the penalty goal to the disappointment of Lunin and MilitaoANGEL RIVERO
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CARLOS CARPIO
Maybe it was the force of habit. Those 36 games in a row without losing end up inducing you into a state of excessive confidence in your own strength that dangerously borders on relaxation. Or maybe it was the setting. Of this Champions League in which they have walked in recent years with an iron fist, whatever the rival or the circumstances, and that ends up leading you to the temptation of applying
icate the law of least effort
. The fact is that the first part was not bad. Sterile dominance, with the recovered Camavinga providing vigor and recoveries in the center, giving the sensation of having the clash under control. But after conceding a psychological goal in the minutes of stoppage time, Madrid appeared after the break at low revs. Too relaxed. No tension.
As it seems that the team only activates itself with challenges, now there will be three in a row with this new format: Borussia Dortmund and Milan at the Bernabu, and then a visit to Anfield, where Liverpool is looking forward to them.
after lifting two Champions Leagues for them in recent years. Strong emotions, what they like. This time it is not possible to point to Ancelotti and his changes as responsible for the setback, as happened in the derby.
The technician tried everything and tried quickly, even going against his substitutions manual. But yesterday neither those who play a lot (Vinicius) nor those who play little (Endrick) worked for him.
Neither those who are very fit (Valverde) nor those who have just come back from an injury (Mbapp) responded. Neither the veterans (Modric) nor the newcomers (Guler).
He asked them for rock and roll but his players continued like the musical thread of an elevator,
Soft melodies to relax. The temptation to resort to fatigue to excuse poor play is there, but it is evident that, more than legs, what the team lacks is football.
What draws attention is the manifest inability to generate chances that they showed against Lille. Not even with the entry of Mbapp did Madrid create any danger for almost the entire second half.
It was from the 84th minute onwards that they got involved and were around for a goal that did not come. The worst thing is not the end of the streak. It is the little evolution since August that is perceived.
