There is no bad weather to play good football.
If you think of Champions League match week as a recipe, then everyone knows the list of ingredients for a successful dish. We need quality products – fresh football players and coaching ideas, and classic football cooking techniques – comebacks, defeats and sensations. The seventh round had it all, although it was the first such round in history, also in a new format. Generally, Champions League matches were not played in January. Difficult weather, cold, snow or rain. But nothing can stand in the way of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League. And the right to high places. The teams were motivated, ready to kick each other and score great goals. And above all, few people openly gave up; in most matches there was a real fight.
First step. Organize returns
There are four returns this week. Two incredible matches for history. Benfica won 4:2 against Barcelona at the end of the match, but after twenty minutes of added time, they lost 4:5. The Portuguese coach reprimanded them on the pitch. There was a reason. Although we also congratulate Rafinha and his teammates. The Brazilian has two goals. The first was pure luck – Trubin unsuccessfully sent the ball straight to the Barcelona winger’s head, the projectile bounced into the goal. But the goal in the last seconds shows Raphinha’s physical preparation. This season, he has sometimes been inspired by the spirit of young Ronaldinho. In addition to Barcelona, Atletico Madrid won emotional victories over Bayer with Alvarez’s double, and Bologna over Borussia Dortmund with the resignation of coach Sahin. And for dessert, a cool second half in Paris. Manchester City led 2:0, but PSG Not only did he win, but he deserved four goals against someone else. Dembele and Ramush successfully entered the game as substitutes, and Barkola prepares for his appearance on the Kvaratskhelia field with striking actions. Khvicha watched the match from the stands with his wife. He will be eligible for the playoffs. Where Guardiola might be lacking, his team sits in 25th place.
Second step. Add sensations
By choosing a title to talk about Bayern, they assumed that the Germans could settle in Rotterdam. This is Kompany’s team – incredibly powerful in attack, but with problems in defense and not always good execution of chances. But Feyenoord, on the contrary, scored three goals after three shots on target in the favorite’s goal. They repeated their feat from the match against Manchester City, coming back from 3:0 down. But Bayern’s Kane, Musiala and Olise managed 30 shots on goal against the Dutch. Thirty shots – not a single goal scored. Bayern won 3:0, now the Dutch have practically secured a place in the playoffs. Although the German favorite also has an excellent chance of making the play-offs. But there now remains a tiny chance of making the top eight to avoid two additional matches. Funny result, the Dutch scored on two counter-attacks and from the penalty spot. Let it be just a sensation, if we do not count such a confident game PSG against Manchester City was unexpected, but it was enough to give the whole dish the right taste. We thank Bayern for the instability; Feyenoord emerged from the fog.
Third step. Devastation is like spices
Penalties with scores of 4:5 and 4:2 are more exciting than an opponent swept away by another 5:0. But in the Champions League, scoring victories also has its own charm. They are like seasonings. Theoretically, you can do without a large number of spices, but with them the dish tastes better. Four losses this week, three came on Wednesday. A normal amount, especially since in one case it is a sensation in Rotterdam. While Bayern were upset in the Netherlands, Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb in London. The Croatians appointed Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro as coach, and the Italian started with three goals from Rice, Havertz and Odegaard. Vinicius reached his 100th goal for Real and scored twice against Red Bull Salzburg. The Austrians scored the prestige goal at the end, but before that Real Madrid had scored five goals. Mbappe scored, Vinicius and Rodrigo each had a brace and Bellingham had two assists. And on Tuesday, Atalanta beat Sturm (5-0).
Fourth step. Remember the technique
Technique is important in cooking. It is equally important to learn how to monitor your workplace. Product preparation, ordering. It is important to know all the nuances of the processes, just as top footballers know how to confront their opponents, how to pass them or beat them while dribbling. The technique of executing a strike is also important. This week of the Champions League, technology has not let down many attackers. Alvarez scored two goals against Bayer, a serious rival. Vinicius made fun of Red Bull Salzburg. A veteran of PSV Luuk de Jong’s double against Red Star. The Serbs tried to add their comeback to the list, but only won two goals out of three. Of course, Rafinha also stands out among the heroes. The winger’s double broke Benfica, who believed too early in victory over the favorite after errors by goalkeeper Szczesny. IN UEFA Barcol could also be added to the list of candidates for player of the week for his goal and assist against Manchester City.
Fifth step. Salt it with scandals
In expensive restaurants, the dishes are salty as much as possible. Another pinch – too salty. But too many scandals will overshadow the dish itself. But an acceptable amount of emotion and fighting, like Benfica and Barcelona players after the match, and a bit of controversy over refereeing decisions makes the Champions League cooler. Portuguese supporters are looking closely at the episode preceding the Spaniards’ decisive counterattack. Physical pressure was put on a Benfica player in the Barcelona penalty area. Is this a penalty? Judged by professional referees. They sided with the Catalans. Even if Benfica should blame themselves first and foremost. They imposed themselves hard and first took advantage of the gifts of the Spanish defense and goalkeeper. Although there were enough regular matches with 1:0 wins this week, there was not a single goalless draw. There are also six red cards. In the match between Atlético and Bayer there were two deletions at once.
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