At the end of two gruelling hours of football, Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup against a brilliant Atletico Madrid team which stole our hearts.
Dominating the first half of the game and comfortable at thwarting Real’s flurry forward, Atletico took the lead thanks to a rare error by Iker Casillas.
The Spanish international goalkeeeper and Real Madrid captain was caught in no man’s land, Diego Godin’s header looping over him as he scrambled admirably in an attempt to rectify his mistake.
The seconds ticked down as Atletico players were happy to control possession when gained and be proactive in cutting off space between Real’s forward line and midfield.
Karim Benzema was ineffective, never able to control the ball without the harrying defence of Miranda and Diego Godin nipping at his ankles.
Gareth Bale had a few glorious chances to put Los Merengeus in contention, but his finishing left much to be desired. This from the man who powered past Marc Bartra and Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final.
When all hope seemed lost, up stepped Sergio Ramos – captain, folk hero, legend, whatever you want to call him, his 6th goal in his last seven matches was the most important of his career.
A brilliant controlled header placed in Courtois far corner (suspiciously lacking a post-man despite it being the 93rd minute of the game) dramatically shifted the momentum of this game, and Real carried that confidence into extra time, controlling proceedings from then on.
Angel Di Maria, tireless as always, slalomed past the ailing Juanfran, injured but determined to play through the pain as Atletico had already used up all their substitutions.
Di Maria’s strike looped off Courtois to the far post where Gareth Bale made amends for his profligacy with a controlled header (yet another) into the back of the net.
Atletico’s gameplan is manageable over 90 minutes, but to maintain a high intensity pressing game beyond an hour and a half is an incredible demand on a footballer’s fitness level.
Fading, and their morale at a low, it made it easy for the Brazillian Marcel to put the match to bed with a low strike past Atletico’s Belgian goalkeeper, something Thibault Courtois will be kicking himself for as his sluggish reactions might have cost him a save.
Marcelo had come on earlier for Fabio Coentrao, and this was one of Ancelotti’s attacking substitutions which paid dividends for Real.
The (harsh) icing on the cake came in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo.
His performance on the night was non-existent, apart from a few memorable slips and two glorious headed opportunities put wide.
He was brilliantly marshalled by the Atletico back line and central midfield of Gabi and Tiago, which picked him up every time he attempted to drop deeper to collect a pass.
He went down to the slightest of contacts (not a first on the night, and indeed one of many throughout his career) in the box, and duly converted the resulting penalty. His 17th in 11 Champions League matches, a competition record. A nice way to tie up what has been an incredible season for the Portuguese phenomenon.
The celebration, however, was lacking in class.
A penalty converted in the last minute of extra time, in a game which was effectively over, was celebrated with the zeal of a World Cup-winning thunderbolt.
Taking off his shirt and honouring the Mario Balotelli school of “look at me” antics, it is understandable that the man was thrilled to have scored a goal in his hometown of Lisbon.
However, was the flexing and mean-mugging really necessary after two hours of anonymity?
Regardless, the scoreline was unduly harsh on Diego Simeone’s men, whose rise throughout this season was as much one of team unity, discipline and determination as it was deft flicks, stunning goals and flashy interplay.
For Carlo Ancelotti’s men, they completed what they set out to do this season, and for that – 2013/14 has been a success for Los Merengeus.
Now, bring on the World Cup! – May 26, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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