It seems Real Madrid haven’t had a simpler final in a long time.

All foreshadowed

It is usually said that nothing foreshadowed this or that course of events. But not right now. There were just all the prerequisites for what we saw in the game. However, this is the rare case where the Champions League and Europa League winners are completely different level teams. Yes, you may recall that Eintracht actually eliminated Barcelona in the playoffs last season. But let’s not forget that the Frankfurters’ journey was exceptional, unique – this will not be repeated for many years to come. Collecting all the same factors together for a new season’s separate game is already more difficult. Besides, that “Barcelona” was fraught with other problems. In general, we don’t talk about the past.

At the moment, we have a huge class difference and a vague start to the season from Eintracht. Yes, if Real Madrid has not yet started holding official matches, given that La Liga traditionally starts later than the others, the Frankfurt club managed to play the first round match. It was kind of a test, because the rival turned out to be the mighty Bayern. And Monk did not notice the resistance, defeating the enemy with a score of 6: 1. After so much confidence, the match with Real Madrid will not be added.

electric discharge

At the same time, the separation from Real Madrid was not repeated. However, the status of the match trophy left its mark. Therefore, Real Madrid were in no hurry and Eintracht were simply afraid of the opponent, but sometimes did not forget to show how they smashed Barcelona’s defense a few months ago. Sometimes those characteristics came out of him. But only sometimes. Furthermore, Eintracht created the most real scoring chance at the start of the match. When Kamada came out, in fact, one on one with Courtois, but he was unable to break through the Belgian.

True, Real Madrid immediately neutralized all talk of luck by not scoring Vinicius, who was thrown by a deceptive pass from Benzema. The Brazilian has already overtaken the goalkeeper, but on some incredible inspiration in the contrast, the ball was blocked by Tuta. Real Madrid, however, showed how to knock out the opponent even in an economic way at the end of the period, when, after a corner and a discount, Casemiro Alaba brought the ball to close range without interference.

It was a sort of relaxation of the tension that accompanied the match in the first half, when the pace was very low and the opponents were a little afraid of each other. The goal seemed to show that this is just a match, another trophy for Real Madrid, so you can relax: there will be no feelings and nervousness. Indeed, after which the match came to a very casual and quiet victory for the Madrid team.

I saw no resistance

If in the first half there was not enough rhythm for some tension inside the game, in the second half it could become boring due to a sort of predictability and clarity of the scenario that unfolds on the pitch. Eintracht, despite the substitutions, could not oppose anything to a more classy opponent, who almost with a yawn created goal chances.

No despair and no pain when Casemiro hits the crossbar. Only because everyone has understood: there will be more chances and there will be goals. Benzema was intended to score the second “sedative”, which he responded to Vinicius’ transfer. He didn’t have to go any further. All proved to everyone.

In midfield the unwavering trio Modric – Casemiro – Kroos have shown that they are still capable of working lively, the defense has become even more reliable and confident, but not without minor flaws, and in attack Vinicius is still fresh and sharp, Benzema is still productive and intelligent and Valverde is flexible and versatile. We see that Ancelotti is progressively preparing to renew the midfield. Therefore, Kamavinga, the newcomer Tchuameni, Ceballos are delicately introduced. Real Madrid want to go through the generational change as smoothly as possible and without loss of quality and trophies. And it will be a very interesting process.

Numbers

Shots on target (on target): 13 (6) – 6 (3)

Here is a heavy and logical superiority of Real Madrid, which from the beginning hit more often and with greater precision. Furthermore, these values ​​were distributed very evenly. For example, in the first half, Real Madrid had the same double superiority in shots and precise shots: 8-4 in attempts and 4-2 in shots on goal. I mean, there were no nightmare zeros at the Eintracht, but it didn’t give the impression that it could influence anything.

Ball possession (passing accuracy): 57% (90%) – 43% (86%)

It should be noted the high accuracy of the transfers of both teams. But this is due to the fact that Real Madrid did not choke the opponent with high pressure and allowed the ball to be played, while Eintracht could not do it quickly. The slow speed ensured accuracy, but prevented playing unpredictable and particularly sharp combinations. In the first half, Real Madrid had more than 60 percent of the ball and were even better at assists.

In total, Real Madrid completed 625 passes against Eintracht’s 430. The teams’ incursion is noteworthy: 108.2 km for Real Madrid against 119.4 for the German team. I haven’t seen such a big difference in a long time. But where the ball “walked” for the Madrid team, the opponent had to run with his feet.

And that’s not all the numbers.

17. Real Madrid have won 17 of their last 19 finals. In this segment, he was inferior in decisive matches only to Atlético. It was 2014 in the Spanish Super Cup and in 2018 in the European Super Cup.

4. This is Carlo Ancelotti’s fourth European Super Cup. He now has two of these trophies with Milan (2003 and 2007) and Real Madrid (2014 and 2022). And this is a record. He overtook Guardiola, who has three European Super Cups.

2. Benzema, after his goal, moved to second place in the list of the best scorers in the history of Real Madrid. He now he has 324 balls. He overtook Raul with 323 goals. But in front of the apparently unattainable Ronaldo with 450 balls.

23. This is Benzema’s 23rd trophy with Real Madrid. The mythical Gento has the same number. Thus, Kareem surpassed Sergio Ramos with 22 trophies. But the leader is Marcelo, who has 25 titles with Real Madrid. However, the French can still get around it.

24. For Ancelotti this is the 24th trophy in his coaching career. And until now, Real Madrid were only second in terms of “performance”. He has now taken eight trophies with Madrid and Milan. Three more titles – with Chelsea and Bayern and one each with Juventus and PSG.

5. Real Madrid have won the European Super Cup for the fifth time, becoming on par with the record holders. Now Madrid, Barcelona and Milan have the same number of these trophies. By the way, the European Super Cup is exactly 50 years old.

4. Thibault Courtois has not conceded a goal in four straight finals for Real Madrid. Yes, and he has missed the final with Real Madrid, only once. It happened in 2018 in the decisive match of the Club World Cup with Al Ain (4: 1).

16. For Benzema, Real Madrid’s main teammate is Vinicius. The Brazilian has already provided 16 assists to the Frenchman. Evaluate the gap from the rest of the recipients: Rodrigo and Asensio, who share second place in Vinicius’ assists, have only three assists from him.

94. For Real Madrid, this is the 94th trophy in history. Very often, of course, Madrid have won the championship of Spain – 35 times. And internationally, this is the Champions League: 14 titles.