Real Madrid News
Real Madrid locker room content with Liverpool draw – report
According to Jose Luis Sanchez on El Chiringuito TV, the UEFA Champions League draw that pits Liverpool against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 has gone down well within the Merengues’ dressing room.
Having finished on top of Group F in the first round of the competition, the current holders of the Champions League title could have faced some tough ties against the likes of PSG, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt.
But what the draw threw was a rematch of the last season’s Champions League final as Real Madrid will again lock horns with Liverpool, after having beaten them in that main event.
Prior to that, Los Blancos had gotten the better of Jurgen Klopp’s side in the 2020/21 Champions League quarter-finals as well and in the finals of the 2017/18 finals.
Despite having come out on top in recent meetings, Real Madrid will be in for a stern challenge against Liverpool. But the report states that the dressing room has not gone down too badly in the dressing room.
It is claimed that the Real Madrid players see the tie as fair and are content with it.
The two teams will lock horns in late February in the first leg, which will take place at Anfield. The second leg of the Round of 16 contest will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu in early March.
Liverpool have not made the most ideal of starts to the ongoing campaign. But with the UCL tie still months away, they have plenty of time to turn things around.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
