The tensions ran excessive at Santiago Bernabeu final evening as Atletico Madrid locked horns with Actual Madrid for the primary leg of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 conflict.
Los Blancos dominated the proceedings on the evening higher than they’d have hoped and had been helped by their opponent’s break day in assault. In the long run, they took a 2-1 lead on combination forward of the decisive second leg subsequent week.
Of all of the Actual Madrid forwards on the evening, it was Brahim Diaz who shone the brightest as he not solely pulled the strings within the closing third but additionally scored a cultured solo purpose to supply the winner.
Diaz’s burst of emotion
The Moroccan worldwide is without doubt one of the Actual Madrid gamers who has needed to endure a number of hardships earlier than incomes the prominence he has this season. Evidently, he’s nonetheless not given the popularity he deserves by many.
Diego Simeone was one such supervisor who didn’t give him sufficient credit score when requested if Diaz may create issues towards Atletico Madrid as Jude Bellingham’s alternative.
“I don’t suppose Brahim will begin tomorrow,” the Atletico Madrid coach instructed forward of the sport.
As revealed by , Diaz didn’t maintain again in hitting again at Simeone after scoring his purpose towards the Colchoneros and thus commanded the respect that he deserved.
“Converse now, you spoke yesterday, communicate now,” he mentioned.
Enjoying as Bellingham’s alternative, Diaz scored one purpose, accomplished 94% of his passes and racked up 76 touches of the ball.
He even offered one key cross, accomplished 100% of lengthy balls tried and had 14 defensive actions to his identify. It will likely be fascinating to see if Ancelotti opts to deploy him as soon as once more at Civitas Metropolitano or locations him again on the bench.
