(ESP-ENG) Unas semifinales, ¿sorpresivas? - [Opinión]
Hello friends, good vibes to all.
In soccer there is nothing written, this is a maxim that can be applied to any sport but seeing what we saw in these quarter-final second legs, the truth is that it is a phrase with enormous weight and meaning. Basically that happens because taking things for granted can be a blunder and in my opinion that was something that was also seen. Personally I did not expect Bayern or PSG to reach the semifinals, the former because the season they are having is dismal and the latter because they have the label or stigma of being a small club in Europe. The reality is that both got through and that soccer once again gave a lesson in how unpredictable and spectacular it can be.
I think the Barcelona vs PSG match was one of the craziest, most exciting and full of adrenaline matches I remember, and so many things happened that it seemed to have a script prepared. The series was 3-2 in favor of the blaugranas and with the "advantage" of playing at home, everything seemed to be on track for a new semifinal after 4-5 years. The match began and everything was evenly matched, perhaps a little more in favor of Barca's dominance, so much so that the first goal was scored by Raphinha and the illusion was great. But then came the catastrophe in the form of a red card and Araujo was sent off for a penalty, for me quite clear, which in the end completely unbalanced the team led by Xavi. Did they lose because of an expulsion? - It is risky to say that, but it is true that it had a big influence on the defeat.
Nobody can tell us that PSG would not have sought victory with the full eleven of Barcelona, it is true that in equal conditions it seemed complicated, but it was something that could happen. The French were not more than the Culés, neither in the first leg nor in the first half hour of the game, but part of the sport is to take advantage of the advantages that the game gives you. Xavi also gets himself sent off in an outburst of a 12 year old boy which for me is very questionable because given the situation of the team is when more serenity and a cool head on the part of the coach has to be there. Anyway, Dembele really enjoyed his return to Barcelona, he has 3 goals in the season and two of them were scored against his former team.
Barcelona had everything they needed to go on but they were left out of the competition due to some punctual mistakes. For me this is surprising, I think few people saw Luis Enrique's team in the semis but there they are, playing a little showy soccer and perhaps one of the least liked. Seeing PSG's opponent and although it is not one of my favorites, it is very likely that they will reach the final, certainly Dortmund did a great elimination against Atletico Madrid, but here is when Mbappé, Dembele and company have to prove how much they want the long-awaited Champions League for the Paris club. A very boring semifinal for me but it is what it is.
But what happened yesterday? - Well, as always, friends, there are clubs that with the great amount of history they have achieve the impossible. Manchester City vs Real Madrid was a tie where it was very clear that it doesn't matter how you play but how you are able to respond at key moments. Yesterday's game, statistically speaking, was an English steamroller in all its forms, it seemed that Madrid was playing with 9 players and all of them were in the opponent's box for almost 150 minutes of the game. It's been a long time since I've seen Ancelotti's team being outplayed so much, they were suffocated and with no way out. Was that the tactic the Italian wanted to use? - I don't think so because the need for goals was mutual, the thing is that City's squad is abysmal.
Watching the starting eleven was an indication of what was to come. The level of substitution between one club and the other was notorious, so Madrid had to appeal to their defenses to be able to contain the gale of attacks they suffered in 80% of the match. So what went wrong? - The last pass, the last connection to score the goal, something that Pep's team rarely fails to do. That and Haaland is an iceberg in important matches; these playoffs were a disaster for the Norwegian. Zero involvement, zero chances, lost in the box, etc. This striker but last year's striker would have scored at least 3 goals. Catenaccio or not, the Merengues reached their twelfth semifinal in 14 years, demonstrating what I said before, history and the weight of the shield.
Soccer is not about deserving, whoever scores the goals advances, as simple as that. The penalty shootout was an example of this. Many are wondering about Bernardo Silva's penalty, well nothing strange because it is not the first one he has taken, the thing is that Kepa knew about it and let Lunin know so he didn't go anywhere. Even the great ones fail, just ask Modric. Anyway, I very honestly expect a PSG - Madrid final. The level of morbidity and tension between those two clubs is great because of the whole Mbappé thing. Surprising because of Madrid? - Not at all, pure white DNA. But, you know what was a bucket of cold water for me? - Arsenal. The ability to throw away a good season in the last few weeks is crazy.
¡Un abrazo a todos, nos leemos en la próxima!
Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it.
¡Hugs to all, see you next time!
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