In a thrilling display of resilience, Real Madrid pulled off an impressive 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, marking a significant rematch of the Champions League final. Champions League final of the previous season.
Borussia Dortmund Takes Early Advantage
The match unfolded in dramatic fashion, with Borussia Dortmund initially seizing control and taking a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute. However, Real Madrid's determination shone through in the second half, as they pulled off an incredible comeback by scoring five unanswered goals.
Vinicius Junior was instrumental in this turnaround, scoring three of the goals and establishing himself as a key player in the match.
Historically, this comeback is emblematic of Real Madrid's reputation for excelling in high-pressure situations, particularly in the Champions League and especially at home.
Under coach Carlo Ancelotti, the team has shown remarkable resilience, having trailed in 18 European matches since its return in the 2021-22 season and managing to win eight of those games.
This performance reinforces their status as one of the best comeback teams in the competition during this period, with five wins coming from eight home games after initially falling behind.
The match also marked a rarity for Real Madrid, as it was the first time in four years that they found themselves two goals down at the end of the first half in a Champions League match at home.
The last time such a situation occurred was against Shakhtar Donetsk. Moreover, this victory stands out as Madrid's first comeback at home from a two-goal deficit in European competitions in two decades, the last one being against AS Roma in 2004.
Failed Change
As the game progressed, Borussia Dortmund began to show signs of fatigue, especially after coach Nuri Sahin opted for a five-defender formation in an attempt to shore up the defense.
This tactical change proved counterproductive, as it gave Vinicius Jr. more room to maneuver, leading to his hat-trick and contributing to the team's overwhelming success in the second half.
While Real Madrid celebrated their comeback, the match also exposed persistent problems in their defense, particularly at the right-back position. Lucas Vazquez, who took the place of the injured Dani Carvajal, was criticized for his first-half performance.
His inability to effectively challenge Julian Brandt allowed Dortmund to score their first goal, and he was out of position for the second goal, scored by Jamie Gittens. Despite redeeming himself in the second half by getting involved in the attack and scoring the tie-breaking goal, concerns persist about his reliability as a defender.
In addition, Madrid's inability to adequately reinforce its defensive line in recent transfer windows became a topic of conversation, especially after the departure of versatile defender Nacho Fernandez.
There have been discussions about possible acquisitions, such as Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, particularly in light of his current contract situation. However, immediate changes to the squad seem unlikely.
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Tactical Issues
On the other hand, Sahin faced criticism for his substitutions during the match. While Dortmund initially showed poise and composure, improving on their previous Bundesliga performances, his decision to replace Jamie Gittens with Waldemar Anton shortly after halftime was criticized as overly cautious.
This move allowed Madrid to regain momentum, which proved detrimental to Dortmund's chances. Additional substitutions, including the introduction of Pascal Gross for Donyell Malen, further limited Dortmund's counterattacking options and contributed to their eventual defeat.
As Sahin reflects on this match, he will need to consider the lessons learned from his tactical decisions. While he made several commendable choices earlier in the match, his conservative substitutions ultimately hampered Dortmund's performance against a formidable opponent like Real Madrid.
The tendency to play defensively can be detrimental, especially when facing teams known for their offensive capabilities.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will face FC Barcelona on October 26 in La Liga, while Borussia Dortmund take on Augsburg on the same day in the Bundesliga. Both teams will look to build on their experiences from this match as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
