Real Madrid escapes the Leipzig trap and emerges victorious in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League with a narrow victory in Germany this Tuesday (0-1). Thanks to a gem from Brahim Diaz, the Madrilenians take the advantage before returning home.
It seems like nothing can stop Real Madrid in the Champions League. A defense decimated by injuries (Eder Militao, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba), the absence of key player Jude Bellingham… it is in these conditions that Carlo Ancelotti’s men emerged victorious against the dangerous Leipzig of Xavi Simons ( 1-0) thanks to Brahim Diaz.
>> relive the meeting between Leipzig and Real Madrid
Several contentious situations
The Germans quickly put the pressure on and even thought they would open the score in the 2nd minute via Benjamin Sesko. Following a poorly returned corner by the Madrid defense (very reworked with a Nacho-Tchouaméni duo), Schlager manages to volley again. With the rebound, the ball lands on Sesko’s head who pushes the ball into the goal. However, the goal was disallowed due to offside. If the Slovenian striker is not in an illegal position, Benjamin Henrichs is, and slightly jostles Lunin, thus making a play.
Despite this disappointment, the Germans continued to push via Sesko, but Lunin had a great night and repelled the opposing attempts. After this disallowed goal, a new situation will surprise several spectators. In the 30th minute, Dani Carvajal commits a big foul on Xavi Simons. However, the Spaniard does not take yellow. A decision provoking great anger from the public at the Red Bull Arena. The intentions are there in Leipzig, but the finishing less so, and as is often the case in the Champions League, especially with Real Madrid, it comes at a very high price.
Brahim Diaz and Lunin carry Real Madrid
If the main dangers at Real Madrid are Vinicius and Rodrygo, we must not forget the genius Brahim Diaz. In the 48th minute, the 24-year-old Spanish midfielder placed a sublime curl from the left from 20 meters into Gulacsi’s top corner. Not very dangerous in the first period, the Madrilenians were able to reverse the trend.
To make matters worse for Leipzig, Lunin had a big night, and was even the author of a double save in front of Olmo and Sesko, shortly after the Madrid goal. The bill could have been higher for the Germans. In the 72nd minute, Vinicius eliminates Klostermann but sees the post prevent the break. Despite the shots from Xavi Simons, Sesko and Olmo, Lunin is impassable and repels everything. Small black spot for the Madrilenians, this injury exit of Brahim Diaz at the end of the match. With this short success, Real Madrid takes a first option for the quarters, but nothing is decided yet and Leipzig will have another card to play at Santiago Bernabeu, on March 6 at 9 p.m.