Real Madrid, the most successful team ever in European competition, widely considered to be royalty by aficionados of the beautiful game, resorting to playing anti-football against PSG? That appears to be the general consensus of various writers and sports journalists, after the team coached by Carlo Ancelotti took a decidedly negative approach in the French capital. Boasting a record 13 CL titles to their name, Real are famed for their single-minded focus on lifting the iconic trophy. Every season, this one piece of silverware is always their top priority- the Holy Grail which comes above and beyond anything else, including domestic success. Therefore watching the famous team in white defending deep and sitting back raises more than a few eyebrows and even their club president was unhappy with his team’s mindset in this game.
Sure, the Spanish giants were up against a formidable attacking force, featuring the striker they most covet in the Parisian attacking line- Kylian Mbappe. Yet nobody expected the team in white to park the bus and then suffer through wave after wave of pressure from the home side. But maybe there was an importance incentive which motivated the visitors? Were the tactical decisions taken by Ancelotti influenced by rule changes this season?
This certainly seems to be the growing consensus of opinion, given that in their infinite wisdom, the powers that be decided to get rid of the away goals rule for knockout ties in European competitions. Paris against Real- this was the most eagerly anticipated tie of the CL Round of 16. Two sides packed with phenomenal attacking talent, although only one of the sides seemed intent on showcasing it.
The score was 0-0 in Paris at half-time, and Real had just 1 shot worth 0.05 xG. The Spanish outfit had been predictably rigid, sitting back and seeking to soak up their opponents’ pressure, rarely venturing forward beyond the occasional and opportunistic counter-attacking breaks. It didn’t improve much till full time either- Real mustered just 0.14 in xG and three shots in the entire game.
Some folks suggested that Real’s lack of attacking endeavour stemmed from the abolition of the away goals rule, while others felt that Los Blancos didn’t veer too much away from type, and that they had been defensive-minded in most big games this season under Ancelotti- the recent loss to Bilbao followed a similar script.
Nevertheless, the overall consensus of opinion from sports analysts and journalists was that in the past, away goals mattered. They encouraged visiting teams to take the attacking initiative, rather than take an ultra-defensive approach, as witnessed by this latest Real performance away at PSG. After all, what’s the point in taking any unnecessary risks, if there isn’t sufficient reward for doing so?
Despite the outcome of this first Round of 16 encounter, with Kylian Mbappe giving PSG a slender advantage for the return leg in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid will certainly be fancied to take an entirely different approach. You don’t have to bet your life on Ancelotti’s men attacking from the first minute- that will be a given at the Santiago Bernabeu, although it will be worth looking at the wagering options available.
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But if there’s one thing many of us already understand about European competitions, certainly having observed the PSG Real Madrid first-leg match, they already seem to have been affected by removing the away goals rule. Perhaps at the end of the 2021-22 season, pressure from fans and broadcasters will encourage the powers that be to have a rethink. After all, the CL is their flagship competition and they need excitement to sell the product itself, and for one team in a knockout match to have stats like these (see Real’s against PSG below) doesn’t make for great viewing, especially if the attacking team is at the receiving end of the result.
The French press weren’t too impressed with Real’s players- Carvajal picked up a 2, while Asensio got a 3.
