Real Madrid hit five as they sweep Legia aside
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
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Marco Asensio shone on his UEFA Champions League debut as Real Madrid made light work of Legia, but it was not all doom and gloom as the visitors ended a 21-year wait.
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Real Madrid made light work of Group F visitors Legia Warszawa, though the Polish title holders had something to smile about after scoring their first UEFA Champions League goal in 21 years.
Vadis Odjidja gave the home team an early scare, but the holders were quickly into their stride as Gareth Bale found the net before Tomasz Jodłowiec deflected in Marcelo's effort.
Miroslav Radović picked himself up to fire in Legia's long-awaited goal from the spot and the visitors had a good chance to level before Marco Asensio restored the two-goal cushion before the break. Second-half strikes by Lucas Vázquez and Álvaro Morata sealed a 5-1 win.
Key player: Marco Asensio
A UEFA Champions League debut to savour for the 20-year-old. He performed excellently in midfield, capping a fine display with an important goal on 37 minutes just when Madrid looked vulnerable. When everyone is fit and heathy, Zinédine Zidane will have a few selection headaches.
Defensive concerns for holders
Madrid were not breached until matchday five of last season's competition, after which they kept six clean sheets in seven en route to the final. They have conceded four times in three games already this term and despite the comfortable scoreline they had numerous problems at the back. Legia coach Jacek Magiera's counterattacking plan exploited the space behind Madrid's marauding full-backs and at times Zidane cut a frustrated figure on the edge of his technical area.
Legia end their wait
There were two goalscoring milestones on the horizon in Madrid. Could Cristiano Ronaldo claim the two goals he needed to reach 100 in UEFA club competition? Would Legia end their wait for a UEFA Champions League goal in such stellar surroundings? Few would have thought the second scenario more likely but Radović made no mistake. The wait of seven matches and 21 years, since a 1-0 win against Blackburn, is over.
Reporters' views
Joe Walker, Madrid (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Job done, three points, but the scoreline flatters Madrid. Legia came with a clear game plan and while Zidane's attacking set-up made for exciting stuff, it left his defence exposed. Madrid's class told and their finishing was superb. The only blot on the copy book in that sense was that Ronaldo was unable to move any closer to his century of goals in UEFA club competition.
Piotr Koźmiński, Legia (@UEFAcomPiotrK)
Legia came to Madrid with a strong desire: to avoid the humiliation of matchday one when they were hammered at home by Dortmund. Legia's problems have not just been in defence (32 goals leaked in 22 games this season before tonight), but also that albatross in front of goal in Europe – one of those problems ended, at least.
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