Always Real Madrid. The “White Ballet” is and remains the biggest number in the concert of the Football Champions League. The Spanish record triumphant secured the title in Europe’s most important club competition for the 14th time with a 1-0 (0-0) win over Liverpool in the Stade den France.
Much to the delight of Austria’s team captain David Alaba, who lifted the trophy with the giant ears for the third time. The 29-year-old from Vienna had previously been successful twice with FC Bayern Munich. Real’s match winners were excellent goalkeeper Thibault Courtois and gold goalscorer Vinicius junior, who shook the net in the 59th minute.
Cardless intruders, tear gas
This event had already served up the big excitement before it even kicked off. The 7,000 or so security officers in and around Paris were hopelessly overwhelmed by the crowds of spectators from England and Spain.
Around 60,000 Liverpool supporters are said to have accompanied their team in the French capital. According to media reports, hundreds on the “Reds” side tried to get into the sold-out stadium with 81,338 spectators without tickets.
The “dodgers” are said to have easily managed to overcome the first control area. In the second zone (Gate U) the police were so surprised by the crowds that they had to give in.
“Totally messy and dangerous”
A few tickets climbed over barriers. Those who were in possession of tickets had to wait for what felt like an eternity in front of the entrances, which were now completely locked. “I don’t know if it’s possible to have an even worse organized event. Utterly chaotic and dangerous,” tweeted English football legend Gary Lineker at the scene.
There were protest rallies and tear gas was used – even in the presence of children. The situation threatened to escalate. The kick-off was pushed back three times. First from 9pm to 9.15pm, then from 9.15pm to 9.30pm and finally to 9.36pm. It didn’t really start until 9.37pm – albeit without Liverpool supporter Scott, in a James Milner shirt, who returned disappointed but composed to the hotel near Charles de Gaulle airport.
The veteran told the OÖN about his mishap while chatting in front of the sliding door. “It would have been my eighth Champions League final but my ticket was stolen from my pocket on the way to the arena,” said the Merseyside man.
Addendum: “But when I hear and see what scenes are happening in front of the stadium, I’m not so unhappy watching this match on TV and having a drink now. Think outside the box: there are worse things in the world than not being here.”
Real goalie Courtois made a great save
Scott has traveled widely. There is hardly a Liverpool match in the past five decades that has taken place without him. “I was also at the European Cup games in Austria – in Innsbruck, in Graz, in Vienna,” he remembers, only to puff on his cigarette a little nervously. “I hope we win this.” Bad luck again.
The “Reds” set up by Jürgen Klopp were actually on the right track, the first 25 minutes belonged to the English runners-up against cautious Madrilenians. Ex-Salzburg striker Sadio Mane had the best chance, and Courtois deflected his shot to the post (21′).
Dream pass from Alaba
The Spanish champions only increased their offensive efforts after about half an hour. Who else but Karim Benzema, who leads the scoring list in the “premier class” with 14 goals, could almost have been celebrated shortly before the break whistle.
After a great through ball from Austria’s team captain David Alaba, who recovered in time after adductor problems, the French center forward scored to make it 1-0 (43′). However, after minutes of video study, the VAR confirmed the assistant referee’s decision – offside. Not without controversy.
Brilliant diagonal pass
Ral was unimpressed by this and caught up on what he had missed after changing sides. Federico Valverde’s superb diagonal cross through the box found Vinicius junior in the 58th minute, who had no trouble tricking Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker from close range.
That was strong and inspired some celebrities in the grandstand: for example tennis star Rafael Nadal, the 13-time French Open champion. Or Zinedine Zidane. Or the beefy Brazilian ex-team striker Ronaldo. Or Raul, who carried the Champions League trophy onto the pitch together with Liverpool legend Ian Rush.
Salah shed tears
Liverpool now needed answers about the deficit. The Egyptian super striker Mo Salah repeatedly found his master in the outstanding Belgian Courtois (64th, 69th, 82nd). It was exasperating. Also for Scott, the pitiful Liverpool fan. His team fired more than 20 shots. None found their way into the goal. This is bitter and understandable for Salah to shed bitter tears of disappointment.
Source: Nachrichten
