Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, but Álvaro Benito wasn’t impressed. The former Madrid player and pundit was highly critical of Carlo Ancelotti’s team, questioning their lack of intensity and defensive vulnerabilities despite the win at the Santiago Bernabéu.
A Fast Start but a Wasted Opportunity
The match started in spectacular fashion for Los Blancos, with Rodrygo Goes opening the scoring early. The Brazilian forward brilliantly skipped past Javi Galán, cut inside, and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot past Jan Oblak, sending the Bernabéu into a frenzy.
Real Madrid nearly doubled their lead, creating several dangerous chances, and they also felt hard done by when Rodrygo was clearly grabbed inside the box by Javi Galán—a possible penalty that wasn’t awarded.
Atlético’s Response and Brahim’s Moment of Magic
As the match progressed, Atlético de Madrid gained control, slowly pushing Real Madrid back. Their efforts paid off when Julián Álvarez silenced the Bernabéu with a stunning equalizer, catching Madrid’s defense off guard.
Despite the setback, Brahim Díaz stepped up to restore Real Madrid’s lead. The Moroccan international produced a moment of individual brilliance, effortlessly beating José María Giménez before coolly finishing past Oblak, sealing an important win for the home side.
Álvaro Benito’s Brutal Criticism of Real Madrid
However, not everyone was celebrating. Álvaro Benito, a well-known pundit and former Madrid player, expressed his frustration with the team’s performance, particularly their defensive complacency after taking the lead.
“It’s hard to understand that a Champions League round of 16 match against Atlético is played like this, with that defensive apathy. You go 1-0 up, and that’s when you have to push forward for the next half an hour. We all thought the team was going to step on the gas, but instead, we’re seeing the same team we’ve seen all season.”
Tchouaméni and Camavinga Under Fire
Benito also singled out Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni, questioning their tactical awareness and defensive discipline.
“Neither of them handles the defensive tactics well. Tchouaméni doesn’t have that instinct to read the game like a true defensive midfielder. And Camavinga? He made a huge mistake that led directly to Julián’s goal,” he remarked.
According to Benito, the lack of defensive structure is why Luka Modrić remains crucial to the team, despite his age.
“That’s why Modrić has to play—he’s light years ahead in understanding the game. If these two were supposed to offer defensive stability, it’s not happening. Either the team starts running and pressing, or they’ll lose the tie in the second leg,” he warned.
Madrid’s Performance Leaves Questions Ahead of the Second Leg
Despite the crucial win, Real Madrid’s inconsistencies remain a concern, especially with a tricky away leg at the Wanda Metropolitano still to come. Ancelotti will need to address the defensive issues and find a way to keep control of the match if they want to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
