Vincent Kompany’s injury exit for the umpteenth time in the 10th minute seems to have sucked all the vitality out of Man City at the Bernabeu. City’s marquee names were no shows with their talismanic leader of so many campaigns gone. Yaya Toure returning for the injured David Silva ambled in the midfield like a pleasantly confused gentleman, Sergio Aguero did nothing to rewrite a tale of disappointing CL performances, Kevin De Bruyne, such an inspiration on his injury return was well marshaled by Toni Kroos and Marcelo, and Raheem Sterling seems to have developed antipodean feet, a stumbling, bumbling presence on the left flank.
The tragedy of it all was Real were really not that much better. Cristiano Ronaldo was both errant and petulant, way off his best. The Madridistas controlled the ball comfortably thanks to Luka Modric and Tony Kroos. Their best attacking player was Isco always looking to get forward. But there was no real penetration. The only goal after Gael Clichy failed to close down Gareth Bale and the winger was allowed space and time to enter the box and send his cross in the direction of goal which Fernandinho barely diverted past Joe Hart. Bale celebrated as if it was his strike but UEFA awarded an own goal.
Yes, it was that sort of match. City’s only response was a Fernandinho shot which struck the upright and an Aguero shot that flashed over Navas. All City needed to progress was one goal which should have induced a screeching, hypercharged finish but in actuality, petered out into a soporific display of lateral and back passes.
Up in the rafters, the loathsome Florentino Perez exulted at Real’s 14th entrance to the Champions League finals. His club meet Atletico, and those believing in the meek inheriting the earth will be rooting for the Colchoneros to reverse their loss two seasons ago. Although with Diego Simeone in charge, he’s more a flinty Tywin Lannister, the ruthless head of the House Lannister leading the rebels in the annexation of King’s Landing.
The all Spanish final is the second one in the last three years and adds to the dominance of La Liga when it comes to the big stage.