MADRID (AP) – Real Madrid defenders started going down one by one.
On Wednesday, the outlook was grim for the Spanish powerhouse ahead of the decisive game against Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals. First, it was captain Sergio Ramos with a muscle injury. Then Raphael Varane with the coronavirus. Next was Lucas Vázquez, with a knee problem. Madrid’s depleted defense would have to go against the English club’s prolific attack to protect a 3-1 win from last week’s first leg.
It turned out there was no real reason for concern.
Because of a solid performance by that makeshift defense, Madrid held on for a 0-0 draw at Anfield and made it back to the Champions League semifinals after a two-year absence. The English team created chance after chance, and the Madrid defenders held firm, clearing and blocking attempt after attempt. “The players always want more, and the team always shows that character,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “When difficulties arise, they are even more united and want to step up. We have immense quality, but the key is the
players’ character. Only Ferland Mendy was a regular starter in the Madrid defense against Liverpool. Substitutes Éder Militão and Nacho Fernández played superbly in central defense, while midfielder Federico Valverde did well as a right-back. And with the help of an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and some solid defending by midfielder Casemiro, Madrid kept in check the dangerous trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané to reach the European semifinals for the ninth time in 11 seasons.
Militão and Nacho had already been essential for Madrid in the first leg against Liverpool when Ramos and Varane weren’t available. “We are part of the squad, and we are here for a reason,” Nacho said. “We are well-prepared to play games like this. We have played three of the most demanding games together and produced top-level performances. So I’m pleased for myself, Militão, and especially the whole team.”
The duo also thrived in the Spanish league last weekend against Barcelona in the clásico, which Madrid won 2-1 to stay in position to repeat as Spanish champions.
“They showed that they are ready to play for Real Madrid,” Casemiro said. “Playing for this team is not easy, but they are ready. We were missing Ramos and Varane, two captains, but Nacho and Militão came through and showed their worth.” Valverde held his ground on the right side of the defense while replacing Vázquez, who had been playing well in the absence of regular starter Dani Carvajal because of a long injury layoff. Vázquez got hurt in the first half of the match against Barcelona on Saturday.
“Valverde put in a great performance in a position where he’s not used to playing,” Zidane said.
And when Valverde and the rest of the makeshift defense failed, Courtois kept Madrid safe.
“He is playing brilliantly,” Zidane said. “It’s so important to have a goalkeeper who is as secure as he is. He has always been like that for us. He has been doing a fantastic job.”
Zidane is soon expected to get some of his regular starters in defense back, especially Varane and Carvajal, who are in the final stages of their recovery. But Vázquez will likely miss the rest of the season, and Ramos will still be out for a while because he has also tested positive for COVID-19. Zidane is probably not as concerned now, though, knowing that he can safely count on all the defenders in his squad.
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