Real Madrid's Champions League campaign took a turn for the worse as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, ending their perfect record in the competition. The Spanish giants' star-studded lineup, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, failed to deliver their usual magic, leaving fans and critics alike scratching their heads.
The match began with Liverpool taking the initiative, and they dominated the early stages. Real Madrid's defense, led by the experienced Thibaut Courtois, held firm, with Courtois making a series of impressive saves to keep the score level at halftime. However, Liverpool's persistence paid off in the second half when Alexis Mac Allister nodded in a wicked free-kick, breaking the deadlock.
Despite their best efforts, Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm and create clear-cut chances. Mbappe, usually a force to be reckoned with, was relatively quiet until the final 20 minutes, while Bellingham, known for his energy and creativity, failed to assert his influence on the game. The closest they came to equalizing was when Mbappe's shot narrowly missed the target.
The match also saw the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had been out injured for a long time. However, he was booed by the home crowd, a stark reminder of his controversial exit from the club. Despite the star-studded lineup, Real Madrid's players were kept quiet, with only Courtois' heroics preventing a heavier defeat.
Here's a breakdown of the player ratings:
- Thibaut Courtois (9/10): Courtois' performance was exceptional, making crucial saves throughout the match. His heroics kept Real Madrid in the game, but he was ultimately unable to prevent the lone goal.
- Federico Valverde (7/10): Valverde started at right-back and provided solid defensive coverage. He was a bit limited in midfield but did his job effectively.
- Eder Militao (7/10): Militao was a solid presence at the back, making crucial blocks and dealing with Liverpool's attacks.
- Dean Huijsen (6/10): Huijsen had a challenging match, struggling against Ekitike and committing a silly foul that led to a booking.
Alvaro Carreras (6/10): Carreras had a mixed performance, shining early against Salah but struggling in the second half.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): Tchouameni had a mixed bag, keeping Wirtz quiet at times but also committing some reckless challenges.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): Camavinga was up for the challenge, engaging in physical battles, but he was sometimes outmaneuvered.
Jude Bellingham (5/10): Bellingham struggled to make an impact, making mistakes and overhitting passes. He was short of his usual form.
Arda Guler (5/10): Guler failed to make an impression, lacking space and opportunities to shine.
Kylian Mbappe (5/10): Mbappe was quiet for most of the match but showed glimpses of his talent in the final 20 minutes. He had a missed opportunity that could have changed the game.
Vinicius Jr (6/10): Vinicius Jr. was dangerous early on but struggled to create chances as the game progressed.
Rodrygo (6/10): Rodrygo offered some attacking intent but couldn't find the killer pass.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (5/10): Alexander-Arnold returned to a hostile reception, with the crowd booing him relentlessly. He had limited touches and didn't make a significant impact.
Brahim Diaz (N/A): Diaz didn't get enough time to make a difference.
Xabi Alonso (5/10): Alonso's starting XI couldn't find their rhythm, and Real Madrid were outplayed throughout the match. His tactics didn't yield the desired results, and the team's performance was below par.
