Football singularity-Chapter 671 Game On
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[09/12/2020 | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | 20:55 Local Time]
[UEFA Champions League Group Stage MD6 | Real Madrid vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen]
The floodlights blazed across the Santiago Bernabéu, illuminating the pristine white of Real Madrid's iconic kit against Leverkusen's bold red. The stadium's limited attendance—roughly 5,000 fans permitted under COVID protocols—created pockets of sound rather than the traditional wall of noise, but their voices echoed through the vast bowl with intensity that defied their numbers.
Derek Rae settled into his commentary position, adjusting his headset as the camera panned across the pitch. Beside him, Stewart Robson organised his notes, both men preparing for what promised to be an exciting European night.
"Good evening and welcome to the Santiago Bernabéu," Rae began, his voice carrying the gravitas of the occasion. "We are moments away from what could be a defining match in Group B. As top of the table Bayer Leverkusen, face second place Real Madrid in their final group match."
"It's a fascinating situation, Derek," Robson added. "Leverkusen win tonight, and they're through as group winners—an incredible achievement for a club that many wrote off before the tournament began. But Real Madrid cannot afford to lose. They must win to guarantee qualification. Anything less, and they're relying on other results."
The camera swept across both teams, now lined up in their respective formations. The Spanish national anthem had concluded, the Champions League anthem still ringing in everyone's ears. Players bounced on their toes, adjusted shin guards, and exchanged final words with teammates.
"Let's look at the team news," Rae continued as graphics appeared on screen. "Zinedine Zidane has made one change from the side that beat Sevilla at the weekend. Luka Modrić returns to the starting eleven, replacing Federico Valverde in midfield. Otherwise, it's a strong lineup—Courtois in goal, Ramos and Varane at the heart of defence, and the experienced midfield trio of Modrić, Kroos, and Casemiro."
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Formation - Real Madrid (4-3-3):
GK: Thibaut Courtois
RB: Lucas Vázquez
CB: Raphaël Varane
CB: Sergio Ramos
LB: Ferland Mendy
CM: Luka Modrić
CDM: Casemiro
CM: Toni Kroos
RW: Marco Asensio
ST: Karim Benzema
LW: Vinícius Júnior
Substitutes: Andriy Lunin, Marcelo, Nacho, Eder Militão, Federico Valverde, Isco, Martin Ødegaard, Lucas Vázquez, Rodrygo, Mariano Díaz
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"And for Leverkusen," Robson picked up, "Peter Bosz has named an unchanged side from the team that beat Inter Milan here two weeks ago. That's a show of confidence—if it worked against Antonio Conte's side, why change it?"
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Formation - Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1):
GK: Lukas Hradecky
RB: Lars Bender 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
CB: Edmond Tapsoba
CB: Sven Bender
LB: Wendell
CDM: Charles Aránguiz
CDM: Julian Baumgartlinger
RW: Moussa Diaby
CAM: Florian Wirtz
LW: Rakim Rex
ST: Patrick Schick
**Substitutes:** Niklas Lomb, Aleksandar Dragović, Mitchell Weiser, Daley Sinkgraven, Kerem Demirbay, Nadiem Amiri, Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Lucas Alario
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"The tactical battle will be fascinating," Rae observed. "Modrić and Kroos are masters at dictating tempo. But Leverkusen have shown all season they're comfortable without the ball, sitting compact and hitting teams on the counter."
"Exactly, Derek," Robson agreed. "The key for Leverkusen is staying disciplined defensively. If gaps appear between their midfield and defence, Benzema will exploit them. He's been doing it at this level for over a decade. But if they can stay compact and win the ball in good positions, Rex and Diaby have the pace to hurt Madrid's ageing defence."
In the centre circle, the referee—Daniele Orsato from Italy—checked his watch and exchanged final words with his assistants. The two captains, Ramos and Lars Bender, shook hands, their expressions professional. Photographers captured the moment, flashbulbs creating artificial lightning.
"The atmosphere here is electric despite the limited crowd," Rae noted.
"And let's not forget," Robson added, "Inter Milan are playing Shakhtar Donetsk simultaneously in Milan. They need to win or hope results go their way. If Madrid lose tonight and Inter win, suddenly Antonio Conte's side are sitting in second with nine points."
"Both teams are in position," Rae said, his voice rising slightly with anticipation. "Real Madrid in all-white, Leverkusen in red. The referee has the whistle to his lips. This is it—Real Madrid versus Bayer Leverkusen, winner takes all in Group B."
"Here we go," Robson said quietly. "A night that could define a season's trajectory for both clubs." The referee's arm rose. The whistle gleamed silver under the floodlights. Time seemed to slow for just a heartbeat—Then reality accelerated.
(FWEEEEEET!)
~~~
[1]
"And we're underway at the Santiago Bernabéu!" Rae's voice carried over the roar of the limited crowd. Benzema rolled the ball back to Kroos, who immediately played it square to Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder took one touch, surveying his options, then played it back to Varane.
"Madrid settling into their rhythm early," Robson observed. "Comfortable on the ball, no rush. They know they have time."
Varane played it across to Ramos, who took two touches before launching a diagonal pass toward Vázquez on the right wing. The Spanish fullback controlled it, but Rakim was already there, forcing him backwards. The ball was recycled back to the keeper, setting off a quick sequence of passes.
Courtois to Mendy, Mendy to Kroos, Kroos to Modrić. Eighteen passes in the opening two minutes, and Real Madrid confidently retained possession. "This is going to be a chess match," Robson said. "The question is—who breaks first?"
[3]
The possession chess game continued, but when Modrić received the ball thirty yards out, his first touch was immaculate despite Baumgartlinger's immediate presence. The Croatian turned with elegance, playing a sharp pass into Benzema's feet. The French striker had dropped back a couple of paces ahead of the 18-yard box, his back to goal.
Tapsoba was tight on him, but Benzema's strength held him off. One touch to control, a second to lay it back to Kroos, who had advanced into space. Kroos's pass was instant, suddenly speeding up the game—a diagonal ball over Leverkusen's defensive line toward Vinícius's run on the left.
The Brazilian winger's pace was frightening, and for a moment, he had a clear path. But Lars Bender had read it, hustling to recover, as he shepherded Vinícius toward the touchline. Jr managed to whip in a cross, anyway, dangerously flying toward the penalty spot.
Ramos had pushed up from defence, unnoticed until he was right there and attacked it. His header was powerful, directed downward— but it was too close to the keeper, and Hradecky managed to palm it past the post for a corner. "What a save from Hradecky!" Rae exclaimed. "Sergio Ramos thought he had the breakthrough!"
"That's the quality Bosz was talking about," Robson added. "World-class goalkeeping is keeping Leverkusen in this early on."
[7]
The corner was cleared by Sven Bender, his header finding Aránguiz on the edge of the box. The Chilean's first thought was forward—always forward. He looked up, seeing space, and played a long diagonal pass toward Diaby on the right wing. The French winger had thirty yards of open grass ahead of him, and Mendy was caught high.
Seeing that Madrid's defensive shape momentarily stretched as the scrambled to recover. Diaby took off, his legs tearing up the ground as his acceleration took him forward. Mendy sprinted back desperately trying to catch him, but Diaby took off like wild races horse across the green pasture.
Twenty yards from goal, Diaby cut inside sharply onto his left foot. Casemiro slid across to block, Varane converging from the other side. Diaby shaped to shoot, drawing both defenders toward him, then played a disguised pass across the box.
Rakim had made the run, diagonal from left to center, his timing perfect. The ball arrived, a couple steps into the box and he struck it first time before Vázquez could interfere. The ball whizzed across the thr ground flying to the far corner but Courtois somehow got there.
The Belgian goalkeeper threw himself across his goal, left hand extended, deflecting the ball just enough to send it spinning past the far post. "OH MY WORD!" Rae roared. "How did that not go in?! Thibaut Courtois with an incredible save!"
"Rex had the first goal of the game, but Courtois reacted brilliantly and saved Madrid," Robson said, his voice carrying disbelief.
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To Be continued...
