UEFA Champions League/Europa League 8/9/10 April *** Spoilers ***

Dortmund are playing so well, kept Real almost completely out of it, not given them a sniff since the penalty save. Bale has been almost invisible, Modric/Alonso being completely owned, so easily. Ramos making his usual mistakes when under pressure.
 
Ronaldo would have buried that penalty. Di Maria's gone and done an Ozil now Madrid look like they might crash out if they don't play like a different team 2nd half. Chelsea game is booooring. I'd have hoped the goal would have opened things up but it's still a grind. Let's see how clever Ancellotti is...
 
Somnambulist said:
Ronaldo would have buried that penalty. Di Maria's gone and done an Ozil now Madrid look like they might crash out if they don't play like a different team 2nd half. Chelsea game is booooring. I'd have hoped the goal would have opened things up but it's still a grind. Let's see how clever Ancellotti is...
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I wouldn't say that, Real just look disjointed, when they've played like this Ronaldo has often been missing. The penalty was more bad luck than screw up, his planted foot slipped and ruined the shot which has happened to all the best at some point. He hasn't been good but the team have mostly done so little. Real look hopeless, it's kind of their default performance when the team doesn't play together at all. Will have to see if they risk Ronaldo and if he can make a difference. If they can't get him the ball at all then not much will change. But like Messi you bring him on and it can lift the team.

I suspect a rollicking at half time could bring out a very different second half performance anyway. But Dortmund really are playing brilliantly, their pressing has been awesome, they are winning the ball back so well, cutting off options for the player on the ball and forcing mistakes all over the pitch then counter attacking very well when they win it back.
 
ALonso is like Song and a few other DM's exceptionally lucky to not be sent off every other game. In the first leg he was fouling the crap out of everyone, it's what he does.

Can't decide if it was a bad idea to leave ALonso on and take off Ilarramedi, one on a yellow one not, but then Alonso has magical anti red card super powers and mendi doesn't.
 
Ancelotti went so defensively minded in the first half, having another runner in the middle in Isco is helping, though I suspect being shouted at during half time and frankly Dortmund's tempo/work rate in the first half all pointed to Real improving in the second half.
 
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