MADRID RECEIVES THE TENTH STAR.Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid for the 2013-2014 Champions League Final.

11/07/2014

Real Madrid beat Atletico (4-1) in a very disputed 90-minute game, which did not have a winner until the extension, which determined Real Madrid as Champions. Here, we present the statistics of the players of the new King of Europe:

REAL MADRID PERFORMANCE RANKING ? CHAMPIONS LEAGE 2013-2014

Both teams started the match with respect, without much risk, and with few interventions from the goalies during the first 30 minutes. During that time, Diego Costa (8.92 Index) relapsed from his injury, which had already prevented him from playing in the decisive final match of the League with F.C. Barcelona, and resulted in the first problem for Simeone, who had to bring in Adrian Lopez, losing a substitution in the first nine minutes when it could have been more useful toward the end of the match.

Atletico presented a predictable first eleven, with the only exception of Arda Turan (8.61 Index), who placed Koke and Raun Garcia on the sides and Villa accompanying Diego Costa.

Atletico started off well, controlling their rival?s attacks, maintaining focus on all their lines, and showing steadiness on the majestic lawns of the La Luz stadium.

The defenses in best shape were the protagonists of the match. During a corner kick and after a clear, Godin (10 Index at the final and 8.66 during the championship) appeared and head the ball gently, but a monumental mistake by Casillas (6.39 Index at the final and 8.62 during the championship), who came out for no reason, was already halfway out, giving the goal away on a silver platter to Atletico, who dreamed of their first Champions. This detail marked Casillas in a competition he was completing at a great level. It is the old football paradox for goalies that are scarred by specific plays, and go into history either as heroes or villains. Casillas was very close to becoming a villain, but the agonizing tie by Ramos saved him.

During the second half, Real Madrid took a step forward and seized control of the ball, greatly due to the rival retreating to defend the yield obtained thus far, until the 93rd minute (there were five additional minutes), with a corner kick wasted by Modric (9.89 Index and 8.77 during the championship), Ramos (10 Index, and 8.8) stood above the rearguard and tied the score, making the crowd go wild once more due to his incredible performance at a determining moment, like in Munich when facing Pep Guardiola?s powerful Bayern. These are, without a doubt, two of the best defenses in the world, which again, showed the leadership they have as well as their capacity to take on essential responsibilities.  They proved this point in a brilliant match with fantastic figures:

Real Madrid had to overcome two important losses; Varane (9.32 Index and 8.2 during the championship) replacing Pepe and participating in a noteworthy match with 11 recoveries, winning four head-butts and complementing Ramos, accompanied by an always remarkable Carvajal (8.93 Index and 8.66) with 10 recoveries, four deep passes and four offensive imbalances; on the other side, Coentrao (5.71 Index and 7.91), who was not on his best game, finished the match discreetly.

In Atletico, in addition to Godin, his partner Miranda (8.36 Index at the final and 8.06 during the championship) performed at a good level (nine recoveries, three deep passes, and three head-butts). Likewise, Juanfran also completed a good Final; aside from the goal set-up, he completed nine recoveries, three deep passes, and two offensive imbalances. Filipe played well on the other side, although he had to leave due to injury, Alderweireld (8.05 and 7.81 Index during the championship) came in his place. Although Alderweireld did not play a bad match, it is difficult to understand why the opportunity was not given to his natural substitute (Insua, 8.4 Index), who always performed at his best when he played, but who did not seem to exist to Simeone towards the last part of the championship.

Carlo Ancelotti?s choice regarding who will accompany Modric, who made one set-up, nine deep passes, five offensive imbalances, and six recoveries, was a surprise for everyone when he decided to call Khedira, waging for seniority instead of using Isco (8.4 Index during the championship), who played diligently when alternating games, either playing from the start or starting from the bench. Real Madrid felt the weight of this decision since its defensive characteristics did not allow the team to attack with the energy the Andalusian team had to offer, which allowed Di Maria to move up the side line, and together with Marcelo (who substituted a lazy Coentrao) turned out to be imperative in order to bomb the rival during the second half of the match, as well as the extension.

Atletico trusted Tiago?s experience (8.46 Index at the final and 8.44) to accompany the captain, Gabi (9.07 Index at the final and 8.51) in what has become the team?s life insurance during this championship. Between them, they have achieved 20 recoveries, 16 deep passes, eight offensive imbalances, and helped support the team until physical fatigue wore the players out. This was a great good-bye for the Portuguese player, who is returning to Chelsea to face his final major contract.

In Real Madrid?s offense, Benzema (6.43 Index, and 8.19) did not stand out, as a matter of fact, he was replaced by Morata; Ronaldo (9.46 Index and 9.38) has little prominence this match, with the exception of specific plays, including the penalty and the goal during the extension, as well as five kicks on goals, four head-butts, seven deep passes, and one goal that made him the greatest goal scorer of the Champions League, as well as obtaining the Golden Boot (together with Luis Suarez), an award dulled by an exaggerated celebration when the match was already sentenced.

At the same time, Gareh Bale (8.64 Index at the final and 8.37 during the championship) was participative, but inaccurate (three missed goals) throughout the 90 minutes, but the change in direction of the match helped the Welshman take advantage of his physical capacity to save a rebound by Courtois in order to take his team up on the scoreboard and compensate for a difficult match at an individual level.

The goal that advanced Real Madrid was a result of the indefatigable efforts of the MVP of the Final, Di Maria (9.89 Index at the final), who gave one of his best performances since his arrival to Real Madrid. The Argentinean player started the season with doubts, but the coach always had faith that he would recover the best version of that extreme, and he was right to be patient since this football player is at his best. Here, we can observe the evolution of this talented football player:

Respectively, Atletico placed David Villa (8.25 Index at the final and 7.95 during the championship) in the offense as a result of Costa?s relapse. The Austrian was a present offense, achieving four recoveries, three deep passes, and seven offensive imbalances. He was constantly supported by Raul Garcia (7 Index at the final, and 8.38), which was not as precise as on other occasions, Koke (7.71 Index and 8.38) proving that Atletico could go on for long periods of time with 10 deep passes, five recoveries, and two imbalances, and a surprising Adrian (7.93 Index and 8.14), who came into Simeone?s plans forcefully due to the injuries of several team mates, and has proven to be an important player with much potential. The young football player set Diego (8.58 Index) aside as a result of his lack of confidence, despite being a player Atletico wanted back at all costs.

Diego?s postponement towards the end of the championship may be an element Simeone should review because although Adrian?s performance was acceptable in the matches where his participation was not expected, the insertion of the Brazilian player could have given them the extra offensive punch Simeone?s team needed, since they could not endure a match that seemed like too great a prize for an overly-defensive Atletico, and an excessive price for Madrid.