How Real Madrid survived huge scare to squeeze into Champions League quarterfinals

It is disheartening to admit that Real Madrid's performance in the Champions League last-16 clash against RB Leipzig was disappointingly lackluster. The Spanish powerhouse displayed a limited attacking threat and looked susceptible in defense. Despite their record as 14-time champions, they were far from their usual dominant form. Nevertheless, they managed to scrape through into the quarterfinals over the two legs, albeit by a narrow margin.  

One cannot help but wonder if a team with greater squad depth and composure would have capitalized on Real Madrid's subpar showing. There is a pervasive belief in the football world that Real Madrid are invincible, regardless of the situation.  

No matter how well the opponents play, how valiant their efforts are, or how many scoring opportunities they create, there is an underlying sense that Real will ultimately emerge victorious. It is a daunting reality that can make the game of football feel somewhat futile and predetermined.

Securing a slim advantage thanks to Brahim Diaz's exceptional winner in the first leg, there was an expectation for Real to flaunt their quality on their home ground. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side surprisingly adopted a passive approach, failing to generate a single shot on target in the first half and struggling to find inspiration even after the interval.  

Unexpectedly, it was the visitors who enjoyed the best scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin demonstrated his dexterity with an impressive save from Xavi Simons, while Lois Openda came agonizingly close to converting a promising chance.  

Despite their abysmal display, Real still found a way to break the deadlock. Released by the precise pass of Toni Kroos just after the hour mark, Jude Bellingham surged forward, delaying his delivery until the perfect moment to find Vinicius Junior, who calmly slotted the ball into the net with his first touch. 

That should have sealed the deal, but just four minutes later, Leipzig managed to equalize. Their captain Willi Orban outmuscled Nacho Fernandez to meet David Raum's cross and headed the ball past Lunin. This leveled the scoreline and set the stage for a nerve-wracking final 20 minutes, as Real Madrid defended their one-goal lead in the tie.  

In the dying moments of the game, Dani Olmo came agonizingly close to forcing extra time, striking the crossbar in the 92nd minute. However, to their credit, Real Madrid held their ground and secured their place in the quarterfinals for the 12th time in the past 14 seasons.  

Leipzig had every reason to believe that they could knock out Real. Just two weeks prior, a Leipzig goal had been disallowed, and Lunin had made a remarkable nine saves, matching Madrid's record in the competition. On Wednesday night, Leipzig again bombarded Real Madrid's goal with an incredible 20 shots, but their woeful finishing proved to be their downfall.

Real's progression in the tie ultimately hinged on a moment of sheer brilliance, reminiscent of their victory in the first leg in Germany . However, they are acutely aware that they cannot rest on their laurels and must deliver stronger performances, regardless of their next opponents.  

Real have a history of overcoming underwhelming displays to triumph in the Champions League, as evidenced by their victorious campaign in 2022. Nevertheless, a closer examination of their performances over the past couple of months reveals a disconcerting pattern.  

They have recently settled for three draws in their last four matches across all competitions, with each game seeing them pinned back for a significant portion of the encounter. Real cannot solely rely on their unwavering determination and resilience to weather difficult periods. While their commanding lead in the domestic league may suffice to secure victory, they should understand that in the Champions League, they will require more than mere strokes of luck to progress further.