[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hun = Real Madrid directed ‘reverse electrode’. Against Liverpool’s ‘natural enemy’, he scored 5 goals despite conceding 2 goals first. Specifically, according to ‘Five Thirty Eight’, a medium specializing in sports statistics, the probability of winning was 35%.
Real Madrid won 5-2 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2022-2023 European Football Federation (UEFA) round of 16 first leg away match against Liverpool held at Anfield in Liverpool, England at 5:00 am (time Korea) on the 22nd ‘September.
With this win, Real Madrid continued their smooth journey towards the Big Year for the second consecutive season. In addition, they continued their unbeaten run (6 wins, 1 draw) in the last 7 games against Liverpool. On the other hand, Liverpool, who failed to avenge themselves, had to play the second leg with a heavy burden as they lost at home.
The home team, Liverpool, came out with a 4-3-3 formation. Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah formed a triangular formation up front and led the attack. Stefan Vycetic, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson defended the midfield.
The defensive line was formed from the left by Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dyke, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The goalkeeper was Alisson Becker. Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Navi Keita and James Milner started off the bench.
Against this, the visiting team, Real Madrid, came out in a 4-3-3 formation. Up front, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo formed a top three team. Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde formed the midfield.
From left, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Daniel Carvajal were the back four line. The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Thibaut Courtois. Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos and Toni Kroos were included in the shortlist.
Liverpool unexpectedly broke the deadlock with an early first goal. In the 4th minute of the first half, from the right flank, Salah stabbed a penetrating pass between the defensive lines, and Núñez, rushing in front of the goal, rebounded the net with a witty shot at the back.
Liverpool, who brought the flow, widened the gap in an instant. In the 14th minute of the first half, goalkeeper Courtois, who received Carvajal’s back pass, made a crucial error in handling the ball, and Salah, who tried to press forward, shook the net by pushing it quickly without missing .
Real Madrid, who had been beaten by two goals, did not panic and slowly created chances and counter-attacked with a chase goal. In the 21st minute of the first half, Vinicius boldly beat three defenders on the left side of the box and hit the right corner of the goal.
Real Madrid, however, faced unexpected bad news just as they were bringing back the tide. In the 27th minute of the first half, Alaba collapsed with an injury and sent a signal that he could no longer play, and in the end Nacho Fernandez was substituted.
Real Madrid, who had been trailing by one goal, turned the game around. In the 36th minute of the first half, Alisson, who received Gomez’s back pass, managed to handle it, and the football hit the back of Vinicius and scored as it was. The first half ended in a tight balance with both teams conceding and conceding two goals each.
Real Madrid, who continued the flow, managed to reverse. In the 3rd minute of the second half, from a free kick opportunity from the left flank, Militang split the net with a header from Modric’s cross. Seven minutes later, after exchanging a one-two pass with Rodrygo, Benzema’s shot was deflected off the defensive wall and became a lucky goal.
Real Madrid almost nailed the win. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Benzema, who received a pass through Modric and Vinicius, easily broke the defense inside the box and calmly scored the net. After that, there was no change in the score in the remaining time, and the match ended in the end with Real Madrid winning 5-2.
