By Maël Chrétien
Published yesterday at 10:53 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:08 p.m.
Vinicius Junior. RONNY HARTMANN / AFP
In the round of 16 first leg this Tuesday evening, the Merengue won in Germany (0-1).
Despite a team decimated by injuries (Rüdiger, Courtois, Alaba, Bellingham…), Real Madrid took an important option over Leipzig this Tuesday evening (0-1) in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. The Merengue scored a goal through Brahim Diaz (49th) and will have to manage the return match on March 6.
Leipzig started strong and had the best chances in the second minute. From a corner, Schlager’s volley hits the ground and bounces off Sesko’s head, which ends up in the empty goal. Beforehand, Lunin was pushed forward by Henrichs in an offside position, the goal was refused, the Merengues were warned for the first time, and not the last. The Germans push, Real responds and the game is balanced. Despite the goalless score, given the intensity there is no doubt, it is indeed a Champions League round of 16 match. The teams jostle, even heckle each other, the match stabilizes before the referee sends the 22 players back to the locker room.
Diaz’s jewel
All the experience of the Madrilenians was felt upon returning from the locker room. More aggressive, they used the trapped Germans. Like when Carvajal provokes Simakan in the area, before the Frenchman receives a yellow card, synonymous with suspension for the return. More yellow cards, more rhythm, everything intensified in the second act.
And in this little game, it’s always Real who wins. Bellingham, absent, was replaced by Brahim Diaz, and it was he who delivered the whites. He resisted numerous mistakes, before finishing a superb action perfectly with his left foot (48′). After that, the La Liga leaders closed shop, and might have doubled the bet if Vinicius had not touched the amount, and Joselu had been more precise. However, RB Leipzig does not have to be ashamed of its performance. The appointment is made on March 6 for the return match at the Bernabeu.
