A lack of space, two flashes

"In the Camp Nou have taught me how to play them," said Sir Alex Ferguson over Real Madrid, after attending the White victory against FC Barcelona 1-3 in the Copa del Rey . And on the basis of their approach last night in the second leg of the Champions League, not lying. Ferguson knew that Madrid disable it if you do not agree spaces. If you force him to attack statically. And living Christian company to exploit its speed, unlike in career challenge. But if instead you wait crouching in your area, its potential decreases.

But despite all this, your cards to gamble that Real Madrid will not make a goal for 90 minutes, is the less risky. Because even in the worst of his days, even with wet gunpowder, or inspired conspicuously absent, while Jose Mourinho have enough quality to, with a few sparks, break all the schemes. And those flashes came from two of the players with more quality template: Modric and Özil.

In the first part, disabled

As mentioned, after attending Camp Nou as audience, Ferguson found out how I should play him at Real. So do not hesitate to delay when the lines of Manchester United. For a start, surprised to see Rooney on the bench. Instead, the eternal Ryan Giggs occupied the right wing to help neutralize Cristiano Rafael, and put their quality-no-expiration date in the attack.

Nani did the same from the left, with Van Persie as advance man and Welbeck exploiting their speed to the counter, and above all, disabling Xabi Alonso, with his shadow when defending. Madrid to San Sebastian was not, and the ball out the suffering. Manchester was much better. No spaces and gave no room for meringues cons always ending his moves. They could have gone into halftime advantage.

Everything changed in the second period

And that began badly for Madrid, conceding a goal from Sergio Ramos own goal after his only mistake committed Varane the meeting. But no one would blind the blur, because the French returned to sign a colossal performance, like his partner in central defense.

Soon after, the move would set the game for many: Nani is expelled for an entrance to the height of the ribs of Arbeloa. Nobody expected it, but the referee Cüneyt Çakir solved the play with a red card that much affect the Red Devils. Especially mentally, because they failed to react to the wind. He threw more blatantly ago but defensive concentration and momentum were not the same. And that is a serious error of Manchester, because staying with ten not synonymous with defeat. Far from it. For Madrid the company was still very complicated. And if you do not tell that to Barca with their experiences of Chelsea and Inter Milan.

From play to Nani and Arbeloa, I think most will agree that a yellow would have sufficed. However, do not think it unreasonable that the referee was decanted into the act by the expulsion. Nani measured wrong, surely not see Arbeloa and find the ball, but that does not mean that practically key blocks in the chest. What I'm trying to say is that it seems ridiculous to describe as "stealing" the tie that action, as noted from some British newspapers.

Modric's entry changes the game

Some say that the expulsion of Nani prompted Mourinho would Modric entrance, as if to point out that he met the man of the match by the circumstances. A thought very opportunistic. The Croatian had a good time warming up, and obviously with what was seen on the pitch that their entry would be here any moment. What is certain is that, probably, would not have been sacrificed Arbeloa.

But the brash Madrid Luka needed to overcome rival lines, more upright and quality. Getting to the area of United was relatively simple, but once there the drowning Madrid, lacking space, abusing horizontal play, with no one to look for one on one or penetrate band.

Modric input was necessary, as demonstrated shortly after admission. His tremendous goal defined what Madrid needed: one on one, shots on goal. Impossible to De Gea. But his label was not limited to the goal. He also participated in the second with a vertical pass started the move, although it was later Özil with a heel that enabled to Higuain's goal to give him a Christian with a measured center. The German turned to show off your flash, disappeared most of the time, but with enough quality to swing the match with an isolated detail. And I will not fail to mention the great sequel that signed Higuain from the right.

Sign Pepe by Özil

He criticizes much to Jose Mourinho this change with 20 minutes with 1-2 on the scoreboard. To me, however, it seemed logical. The Madrid was playing with three defenders after the change of Modric by Arbeloa, and had a margin of two goals. It's easy to say we should have remained the same until the end, but we must also keep in mind that the opponent, until then, it was worth the 1-1 result. With 1-2, however, that they had no definitively leave attack.

Why by Özil? Because practically was the only possibility, because Cristiano is untouchable, Modric and Kaka had joined the bench, and Higuain was more suitable than the German to sacrifice defensively on the right wing.

What is certain is that Madrid should have slept much the game. Controlling the ball, hide, and prevent the danger created Manchester. But, far from it, the United had their chances clearer in that final stretch and with Rooney on the pitch. And it also makes one wonder if there will be no sin stingy Red Devils in this tie, focusing his plan to defend his goal when his greatest asset is his offensive potential.

To avoid shocks, Diego Lopez had his moments of glory with great merit stops, that do nothing but to agree with those who bet on him when Iker Casillas was injured. And we'll see what happens when the captain again, because with Diego at this level would not be surprising to maintain ownership. For although Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world, standing two months pass any bill. And when things work ... why play them?