A game to remember — despite the coaches

 

So here we have two coaches devoted to offense. Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho. I know that to be the case, because that’s whatthey’ve told us. Before last night’s game between Real Madrid and Manchester City, Mancini announced that “Our mentality is not to go there — to Madrid or anywhere — for a draw, or to lose. Wewant to win always.” As for Mourinho, well this was Real’s home game, no need for assurances of attacking play when you’re playing at home.

 

And what did weget?  In the first half we got Real Madrid with a midfield featuring Michael Essien, Sami Khedira and Xavi Alonso. Athletic yes, hard-tackling yes, but creative? An offensive set up? Hardly -doubly not when you consider that Mesut Ozil and Luka Modric and Kaka were all watching from the bench. As for ManCity — they hardly got into the Real half of the field, so cautious was itsplay.

 

We got a half dominated by Real, in which the key player was a member of Mancini’s win-seeking side, goalkeeper Joe Hart.