It was a champions league night to forget for Real Madrid after an injury to Karim Benzema and a dismal performance against Wolfsburg. Zinedine Zidane’s men were coming from sweet fresh Saturday Clasico win over Barcelona, the Clasico win was supposed to be a boost for the Los Blanco, but it only means little as they were thoroughly tutored on the field of play by the underdog, Wolfsburg. The joy of Clasico win is now over as the Real Madrid hope of reaching the champions league semi final is hanging in the balance after a dismal performance against Wolfsburg in Germany. The Clasico win was supposed to lift the Blanco’s side spirit, but just four days after the victory, everything went wrong.
Ricardo Rodriguez scored from the penalty spot after Andre Schurrle was fouled inside the area by Casemiro, before Arnold added the second to make it 2-0 before the first half break. Even though Real Madrid created chances to reduce the tally through Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, it was not meant to be, because Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg goal keeper) stood like a rock to deny them on the night. Wolfsburg would have inflicted more pain on the Blanco, but they were also wasteful in front of the goal. Madrid now faces a tough task to reach the champions league semi final when they play Wolfsburg in the second leg on April 12 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ronaldo had a goal correctly ruled out just two minutes into the game, Benzema would have also scored after dribbling Dante in Wolfsburg area, but Wolfsburg keeper’s leg kept out the low shot and Bale blasted the rebound just wide. Rodriguez then coolly converted from the penalty spot to give Wolfsburg a lead after Casemiro brought down Schurrle. The opener was a big boost for Wolfsburg and they did not waste time scoring the second goal before first half break when Arnold sent home Bruno Henrique low cross from the right wing.
Madrid with Toni Kroos, Bale and Karim Benzma created chances to reduce the tally before half time, but was not lucky to find the back of the net. Shortly after the break Madrid was dealt a blow when Karim Benzema left the pitch injured and was replaced by Jese Rodriguez. Ronaldo tried his luck twice from outside the area before sending another header over the bar from Bale’s fine cross.
Schurrle would have made the night worse for Madrid after a counter attack, but he scooped the ball over the bar just from 10yards out. Benaglio did well to deny Cristiano Ronaldo 20 minutes to the end of the game when the Portuguese received a nice pass from substitute Isco. Even though Madrid pushed hard for a goal, Wolfsburg stood their ground to take the 2-0 lead to the second leg that will be played next week (April 12).
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