“He’s so cool he pees ice cubes”
Real Madrid star attacker Karim Benzema (41 goals and 13 assists in 41 competitive games) celebrates his goal to make it 4-3
Which: AFP/PAUL ELLIS
Karim Benzema completes an insane game and keeps Real Madrid’s dream of a 14th Champions League title alive. For Manchester coach Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, the personal curse could continue.
Karim Benzema had not necessarily traveled to England with a formidable penalty success rate. Just last matchday, Real Madrid’s exceptional striker missed two penalties in a duel with goalkeeper Sergio Herrera in a 3-1 win over Osasuna in the league game. And now, after the small personal faux pas, there should be another showdown between the attacker and the keeper – albeit one with a groundbreaking character.
Madrid were 4-2 behind Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals when referee Istvan Kovacs penalized Aymeric Laporte’s handball and awarded a penalty. Benzema put the ball in the 82nd minute, while high up in the stands at Etihad Stadium, the two TV experts Mario Gomez and Patrick Owomoyela eyed the scenery: “He chips it in the middle,” Gomez speculated.
And apparently the former German national player had prophetic gifts in that phase, because Benzema actually missed goalkeeper Ederson and hit the crossbar with a lob to make it 3: 4. “He’s so cool he pees ice cubes,” acknowledged Gomez’ colleague Jonas Friedrich, who commented on the game for Amazon Prime.
Benzema’s feat was the final punch line of an insane game. Never before have two teams acted with such an open visor from the first minute in a semi-final match in the premier football league, never before have there been so many goals to marvel at in a semi-final. If, as an inclined observer, you cut Bundesliga games, what was on offer on Tuesday evening in Manchester was not just football from another planet, it was almost a different sport.
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“Rip up the Tactics Manual”
While the hosts initially seemed to overrun their opponents with merciless pressing and playful force, in the end it was Real’s composure and effectiveness that impressed. “Rip up the tactics manual, kick over the whiteboard, throw away the laptop with the data analyzes – and please just give us more of it,” demanded the “Sun” after the spectacle.
After goals from Kevin De Bruyne (2′), Gabriel Jesus (11′), Phil Foden (53′) and Bernardo Silva (74′) for Manchester, as well as Karim Benzema (33′, 82′) and Vinicius Junior (55′). ) for Madrid, the Spaniards now have the best chance of reaching the final in front of their home crowd in next Wednesday’s second leg and aiming for their 14th triumph in the Champions League in Paris on May 28th. “It’s a defeat that keeps us alive for the second game at the Bernabeu,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, summing up the incredible game. “We need to improve in defence. But we have the quality to hurt our opponent.”
“…that’s just real”
An assessment that could be read above all on the face of his opponent: Pep Guardiola did not seem particularly happy after the narrow home win. “It could have been a better result, but that’s Real. We played very well,” said the Manchester City coach. “In my experience, to win this competition, you simply have to survive such unexpected situations.”
Guardiola can still hope that his very personal curse in the competition will end. The Catalan has not won a Champions League title since triumphing with FC Barcelona in May 2011, last year he failed in the final with Manchester at Chelsea. In the end it was 0:1.
That’s why the former Bayern coach summed up the strengths of his team: “I’m proud and incredibly satisfied.” No one can claim “that we didn’t show very good football. We did a lot of things right, but unfortunately we also conceded the goals. We could have met more. We played a fantastic game against an incredible opponent.”
