Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin: 1-0
Real Madrid must fight extra hard to defeat the visitors Union Berlin in matchday 1 of Group C of the 2023/2024 Champions League, Wednesday (20/9/2023), despite the result of the match "Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin: 1-0".
Playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid excelled in everything in this match. They pounded Union Berlin for 90 minutes with a total of 32 shots, but only one was a goal.
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| Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the winning goal for Real Madrid against Union Berlin in the Champions League. (Photo: Getty Images) |
Union Berlin defended very well, had 24% possession, and made no shots on target at all (0). They almost stole a point from Los Blancos.
Luckily, Madrid had Jude Bellingham who was again the hero of the victory. This time with his goal in the 90+4th minute, just before the referee blew a long whistle.
The course of the match "Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin"
The match started instantly at a high tempo. Union Berlin first made a breakthrough that shocked Madrid. El Real immediately retorted. 10 minutes passed, and the pattern of the game began to form.
Madrid tried to have the ball in midfield, but Union didn't let it go. The high-pressure line they applied proved to make it difficult for Madrid to play.
Entering the 30th minute, the tempo of the game began to decline. The first 10 minutes were at a high tempo, but now Union looked comfortable waiting and letting Madrid carry the ball.
Also, read: PSG vs Borussia Dortmund: 2-0.
Until the 40th minute, Madrid had recorded 10 shots, but none of them were really dangerous. Union also seemed satisfied with a goalless condition in the first 45 minutes.
Continuing to the second half, Madrid again pounded the visitors. In the 52nd minute, Madrid's best chance was created. Rodrygo's volley can be denied by the opposing goalkeeper. Following the second chance in a row, Rodrygo's shot still hit the post.
In the 63rd minute, Madrid's shot again hit the post. Rodrygo's cross was horned by Joselu, and goalkeeper Ronnow slightly touched the ball which continued to hit the post.
Madrid's stalemate prompted Carlo Ancelotti to respond. Several substitutions were made midway through the second half. Madrid tried again.
Madrid looked frustrated for missed chances. Entering the final 10 minutes, Union defended well to maintain a draw.
Right in the final minute of the game (90+4'), Madrid finally broke the deadlock. In the corner kick scheme, Valverde's kick hit the opposing player, goalkeeper Ronnow had already jumped in the wrong direction. The ball was then passed by Bellingham into an empty net. Goal! Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin.
The lineup of "Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin"
REAL MADRID (4-3-1-2): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Nacho (73' Fran Garcia); Luka Modric (81' Brahim Diaz), Aurelien Tchouameni (66' Federico Valverde), Eduardo Camavinga (66' Toni Kroos); Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
UNION BERLIN (3-5-2): Frederik Ronnow; Leonardo Bonucci (80' Paul Jaeckel), Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite; Josip Juranovic, Lucas Tousart (84' Aljoscha Kemlein), Alex Kral, Aissa Laidouni (66' Brenden Aaronson), Robin Gosens; Sheraldo Becker (81' David Datro Fofana), Kevin Behrens (66' Kevin Volland).
Coach: Urs Fischer