The Champions League is back with a battle of historical giants with a game between Real Madrid and Olympique de Marseille. Both teams had bold lineups with the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timothy Weah, and other big names taking the field. The score was Real Madrid 2-1 Marseille. Here are some key takeaways.
Despite not scoring in open play, Real Madrid were the more organized side. Marseille took a while to fully get acclimated to their setup. This didn’t stop beautiful linkup play with Mason Greenwood and Timothy Weah who opened the scoring with a golazo. But Real Madrid were very dangerous in the box, leading to a poor tackle on Rodrygo who won a pen, taken by Mbappé who scored yet another after a questionable hand ball in the box in the 2nd box, reacting well after Carvajal got sent off after a headbutt.
Marseille were unlucky not to at least grab a point. The star performances of Timothy Weah, Gerónimo Rulli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to just name a few, created a multitude of chances and kept Marseille in the game. The second penalty had many viewers questioning the validity of the penalty, but ultimately the many chances Marseille had that they were unable to finish off hurt them.
Real Madrid have a dilemma next match at Right Back. Just a few minutes into the game, Trent Alexander-Arnold came off with a no-contact injury, a hamstring, which is worrying in it of itself, but when Carvajal came on in his stead, he was foolish enough to let Marseille’s goalkeeper, Rulli, to get to him with an insult, headbutting him and getting a red card. Next match, their 2 starting right backs are out of contention, leading to a selection dilemma for Xabi Alonso in the upcoming matches in the Champions League.
Marseille have one of their two hardest games out of the way. Despite the tight loss that may hurt fans and players alike, the upcoming matches are less difficult on paper, perhaps bar Liverpool in the latter stages, meaning that they now have a chance to accumulate points.
This match was a spectacle, and an example of the exciting nature of the Champions League. 3 goals, a comeback, penalties, a brace, and a come back are all examples of the thrill that the Champions League has to offer. Hopefully the upcoming matches all match or better the entertainment provided from this match up between historic footballing giants.