Real Madrid News
Lionel Messi says loss against Real Madrid last season was hard: “We played great”
Real Madrid’s run en route lifting the Champions League was historic; arguably the most difficult one of all time. Not only because of the teams they faced – and beat -, but also because of the manner in which they did.
Their run in the knockouts included comeback wins against Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, Chelsea in the quarter-finals, and then Manchester City in the semi-finals.
PSG were head and shoulders better than Madrid in the first leg of the encounter. Thibaut Courtois was flawless for 93 minutes, but could not deny Kylian Mbappe’s 94th-minute winner.
In the second leg, too, Mbappe’s brilliance had a chokehold on Madrid for 60 minutes. It was not enough, though, as Karim Benzema’s second-half hattrick took the game away from their grasp.
Gianluigi Donnarumma got the lion’s share of the blame, but it is also difficult to look past Lionel Messi’s first leg penalty miss. A goal there, in the second half, no less, would have taken the game away from the Spanish side.
Messi opened up about the game, speaking to Barcelona legend Hristo Stoitchkov, as relayed by AS Argentina.
“It was very hard, because of how it happened. We played two great games, but lost because of small details”, he said.
PSG were undoubtedly one of the leading candidates to lift the trophy last season, alongside Manchester City and Liverpool – all three of whom lost to Real Madrid along the way.
Messi says their prime objective this season, much like last, is to conquer Europe, but that it is tricky because the best team does not always win it:
“The main objective for PSG, as every year, is to win the UCL. It is a very difficult competition, because the best team does not always win it. It is always decided by minor details, any mistake can knock you out.”
There is no secret that Real Madrid might consider a move for a new striker in the coming summer. With Karim Benzema slowly nearing the end of his career, the club are looking for a viable alternative ahead of the new season.
Carlo Ancelotti has been left impressed by the performances of Rodrygo in the centre forward position. But the club could still use the services of a more recognised option in the number nine position.
The Spanish giants are reportedly assessing La Liga for a potential low-cost option. But they are also open to looking through in other leagues, in their bid to add more depth in the attacking department.
To that end, Fabrizio Romano claims Real Madrid are eyeing a swoop for Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool star has become the latest player to be shortlisted by Los Blancos, with his current contract at Liverpool expiring at the end of the season.
Formerly of TSG Hoffenheim, Firmino has a stellar track record of performing in Europe. He has scored 110 goals in 361 competitive matches during his time at Liverpool, winning the Premier League and the Champions League title.
A centre forward by trade, Roberto is known for his tactical flexibility and the ability to shift into wider areas to build up the player.
It makes him an appealing target for Real Madrid, who would prefer a versatile striker in their ranks that can not only provide cover for Benzema but also the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Real Madrid, though, are yet to hold any discussions with Roberto Firmino just yet. He has just been added to the list of targets and one would expect the Spanish giants to make a move once the season is over and the player becomes a free agent.
