Real Madrid is making it look easy this time.
There’s been no need for late heroics or big comebacks. No
need for last-minute goals or extra time. Instead, it’s just been
straightforward dominance.
After needing to rally its way through the knockout rounds
of the Champions League last season, Madrid is taking the easier route this
time, cruising into the semifinals to stay on track for a record-extending 15th
European title.
Madrid defeated Chelsea 2-0 in London on Tuesday in the
second leg of the quarterfinals, advancing 4-0 on aggregate following what had
been another dominant performance in the first game last week in Madrid.
The latest victory came after two goals from Rodrygo, whose
second came in a 30-pass buildup that showcased Madrid’s breathtaking form in
the European competition this season.
Madrid has been more balanced than ever, with the attack
working well and the defense playing solidly, allowing the team to stay in
control and avoid having to come from behind. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said
the “collective effort defensively” is making a difference and allowing Madrid
to “show its quality.”
“We’ve worked well in recent games and the team is highly
motivated and focused,” Ancelotti said. “We have a lot of quality and being
solid at the back helps us a lot. To make it to the semifinals is always a
success and allows us to dream about winning the title again.”
Madrid had eliminated six-time European champion Liverpool
6-2 on aggregate in the round of 16, when it won 5-2 in the first leg in
Liverpool despite conceding two early goals.
“I still don’t know how to explain how the Champions League
makes us all react and perform, but I have to say that it’s very special
indeed,” Rodrygo said.
It was also special last season, but Madrid had to suffer a
lot more.
Before beating Liverpool in the final, Madrid was in danger
of elimination in each round of the knockout stage.
Its first comeback came against Paris Saint-Germain in the
last 16, when Madrid looked beaten after losing the first leg 1-0 and conceding
early in the return game in the Spanish capital. The hosts eventually rallied
with a second-half hat trick by Karim Benzema.
It was with another hat trick by Benzema that Madrid won the
first leg at Chelsea 3-1 in last season’s quarterfinals. But the team trailed
3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the second leg and needed a late goal
by Rodrygo in regulation and another by Benzema in extra time to make it to the
semifinals.
In the semifinals against Manchester City, Madrid lost a
thrilling first leg 4-3 in England, and its deficit increased after conceding
in the 73rd minute of the return game at home. But Rodrygo scored in the 90th
and in stoppage time to force extra time, when Benzema converted a decisive
penalty kick to put Madrid in the final.
Madrid will play in the semifinals for the 11th time in 13
seasons — against either Manchester City or Bayern Munich. City won the first
leg 3-0 at home last week.
Ancelotti won’t have defender Éder Militão available for the
first leg of the semifinals because of a yellow card suspension. -AP