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Euro Bites: Atletico pay the penalty as Real reign supreme in Europe

Real Madrid have won the Champions League for the 11th time. In a match that bore a lot of similarities to their encounter two years ago, the saddest part for Atletico Madrid fans is the victor was also the same. They were forced to comeback from an early Real strike but they just couldn’t find that moment of magic in extra time when their opponents were physically spent. Penalties is a cruel way to decide any game, less so one of these proportions, but Real held their nerve from 12 yards and handed Zidane his first trophy as a manager – not a bad way to kick things off either.

THE WINNERS

‘Mr Final’ didn’t disappoint as Bale was a constant threat throughout

A lot of the talk in the build-up had been dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s race to be fit and how crucial he would be for Real’s hopes of lifting the famous trophy again. Although I think, deep down, everyone knew that as long as Gareth Bale was fit then Real stood a fantastic chance of winning. The Welshman has matured on and off the pitch in the past 12 months and, injuries aside, has dragged the team over the line when he’s been available – something a certain tanned, Portuguese international is famous for doing.

That solo goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, which forced Marc Bartra into hiding, was followed by the crucial early goal in extra time to vanquish Atletico Madrid in 2014. Last season saw a lot of unfair criticism aimed his way because Cristiano has a protective shield when it comes to the Spanish media. He didn’t quite reach the same heights but wasn’t the biggest disappointment either. And so, with another final in the balance, eyes soon turned to Bale – and he proved himself once again.

Karim Benzema didn’t look 100% either, nor did Cristiano (more on him later), but the man who spearheaded Wales’ Euro 2016 qualifying campaign was the only dangerman in Real Madrid’s attack. His ability in the air caused panic in Atletico’s box, getting a crucial flick-on for Sergio Ramos’ opener. When space opened up in front of him he attacked at will, turning players inside out. The only time his influence waned was when cramp set in, as it did for a lot of players, but he valiantly carried on to the end – and even managed to put away his penalty, too. Is it finally time for Bale to become the man at Real?

Gabi and Casemiro: the defensive lynchpins

For Rafa Benitez, there must be a strong case of irony when he sees everyone lauding Zinedine Zidane for putting Casemiro in the side. A lot of those same people were livid when he benched James Rodriguez and Isco for the combative Brazilian. “It’s too defensive!” “This isn’t what Real Madrid are about!” And then, in the biggest game of the season, Benitez was forced to play James instead of Casemiro and subsequently saw his side smashed to pieces by Barcelona at the Bernabeu. That was all she wrote for ‘defensive-first’ Rafa.

However last night showed the world why Casemiro is key to getting the maximum out of his Real Madrid team. There’s no hate for Zidane from any corner of the press or fan base for doing exactly what Benitez started: shoring up a paper-thin midfield in order to allow those further forward more freedom to inflict damage. Casemiro was everywhere last night, spreading faster than chickenpox in a playground as he covered what felt like every blade of grass. It isn’t easy to keep Koke and Saul quiet but he smothered their influence on proceedings until Isco replaced Toni Kroos. This was arguably Casemiro’s best performance in a Real Madrid shirt.

On the opposite side we saw Gabi take command and literally leave his soul in the midfield battle. Similar to the likes of Bale – and Andres Iniesta in the Copa del Rey final – he is someone you can rely on to perform when it matters. He might be 33 by the time next season gets underway but his influence and importance to this side remains as strong as ever. A leader, a captain and a shining example to everyone else around him. He’s priceless.

Not withstanding the opening 30-35 minutes where Real Madrid overran Atletico, Gabi rose to the fore as they fought their way back into the tie. Saul had a quiet game, as did Koke and while Augusto showed bright moments he wasn’t anywhere near the level of Gabi. When Real tried to break and you saw an Atletico player charging down the man in possession, you knew who it was without even looking. He didn’t deserve to lose back in 2014 and he didn’t deserve to lose last night either. Football can be cruel but he might get one more chance yet.

Zidane becomes the first French coach to win the Champions League

It was a night of pure elation for Zidane as he won the biggest prize in club football after just five months in charge. Not many in football can say they get the better of Diego Simeone but now Zidane can add his name to an illustrious list. No doubt he’ll saviour the moment, as he should, and that winner’s medal as a manager will sit nicely alongside those he won as a player. His legacy at Real Madrid won’t be matched for a long time yet.

However while he is certainly a winner for the triumph, Zidane was also guilty of getting a lot wrong. His decision to withdraw Kroos and replace him with the more attacking Isco cost his side the control in midfield. In turn it asked too much of the influential Luka Modric, who tired considerably towards the end, as he was forced to do the defensive duties of two men. The decision to make all his substitutes in the allotted time meant they were forced to patch up the wounded at every break in play. If Atletico had scored again, you didn’t sense Real had the energy levels to come back.

After five months in the role you can forgive Zidane for those errors but, if he wishes to remain at the helm for a reasonable amount of time to come, he’ll need to work on smoothing out his flaws. As we all know, Perez isn’t afraid to dispense with a coach at the drop of a hat – not even someone as loved as Zidane currently is.

Honourable mentions: Sergio Ramos – turned in one of his best displays of the season when Real needed him the most. Standard yellow card to save his team for conceding a goal, too. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco – added an extra dimension to Atletico’s attack, if only he was fit enough to play the entire game. Mark Clattenburg – He handled the occasion brilliantly and didn’t put a foot wrong and wasn’t fooled by some of the antics on display.

THE LOSERS

Jan Oblak’s penalty shoot-out display left a lot to be desired

Every great player has a weakness and it seems that, for Jan Oblak, his weakness is facing penalties. I don’t want to take anything away from his incredible performance during the 120 minutes where he matched everything that was thrown at him – he couldn’t do anything with Sergio Ramos’ goal – and proved, without a shadow of a doubt, he’s the best goalkeeper in La Liga right now. “The Wall” stood firm.

However, to throw in a Game of Thrones reference, it appears the words “penalty shoot-out” are like someone blowing the Horn of Winter: the wall comes tumbling down (in theory, as we’ve yet to see evidence this could actually happen before you go mental in the comments about spoilers). The calm, assured and unbeatable Oblak was replaced with a slow, unresponsive Hodor-type who seemed to doubt himself before every penalty was taken. All of the penalties went the same way, but he only dived in that direction once – and he was about 5 minutes too late at getting his arm out in an attempt to stop it.

Cristiano loves the limelight but he didn’t deserve it yesterday

It’s a tough spot for Zidane to be in when your best player isn’t anywhere close to being 100% fit but must play him regardless. I’d dare say any manager would do the same because a half-fit Cristiano is still better than most players in the game today. But against Atletico he offered nothing apart from veiled apologies as he invariably chose to shoot instead of pass to a teammate or lost the ball as he tried to beat his marker.

Benzema is always the one to be sacrificed when an attacking change is needed but it was plain to see that Cristiano should’ve been the one to make way. The team carried him to the end of the game as he disappeared, standing on the halfway line in the hope Real could launch a counter. When Bale feel victim to cramp, the best hopes of a counter laid with Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez – not the Portuguese hitman.

His decision to go last, in order to ‘win’ the title for Real Madrid, would’ve looked even more stupid had Real missed one or two of theirs beforehand. The constant need to be the focal figure is becoming tiring. It was same as in 2014 when he ripped off his shirt a la Hulk Hogan after he scored a late penalty when the game was already won. Others deserved that moment of glory more than he did. His ego is what drives him forward, makes him the player he is today, but moments like yesterday show why he isn’t a team player – and probably never will be.

Torres isn’t the answer to Atletico’s striker problem

This was supposed to be the moment when Fernando Torres rolled back the years and proved why he should start alongside Antoine Griezmann next season. Big money imports have failed to live up to expectations, to varying degrees, and after a strong finish to the season it appeared Torres was ready to plug a gap in the short-term, but he didn’t do enough to stop Simeone searching for another striker this summer (transfer ban not withstanding).

He didn’t look like getting the better of Ramos and Pepe all night and while Zidane perhaps rushed his substitutions, Simeone should’ve replaced Torres sooner and given Angel Correa 30 minutes to run at a tired and exposed Real Madrid backline. He failed to hold the ball up well enough, didn’t get into good positions and he appeared to get progressively worse as the match wore on. Torres might be a good back-up option, but he isn’t the man to help spearhead Atletico’s attack going forward.

Honourable mentions: Danilo – looked a bag of nerves from the moment he first touched the ball, deciding to Peter Kay “’Ave it!” in his own box on various occasions. Pepe – he’s proven his doubters wrong this season but the rolling about and his general theatrics earned him no friends last night. Zidane’s substitutions – none of them really worked and he used all three far too early.