Pundits Baffled as Star-Studded Attack Fizzles in Champions League Defeat to Liverpool
Legendary striker Thierry Henry did not hold back in his criticism of Vinicius Junior, questioning the Brazilian’s decision-making after a toothless performance saw Real Madrid fall 1-0 to Liverpool at a raucous Anfield.
The defeat, sealed by a second-half header from Alexis Mac Allister, marked the first time all season that the Spanish giants have failed to score. The much-heralded attacking duo of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé were notably quiet, failing to test the Liverpool goalkeeper even once.
In a blunt post-match analysis, Henry expressed his frustration with Vinicius’s approach, particularly his failure to consistently test young Liverpool defender Conor Bradley. The former Arsenal and Barcelona star was baffled by the winger’s tendency to overcomplicate plays.
“I do not understand it. You have to play with what’s in front of you,” Henry stated on CBS Sports. “For the first five to seven minutes, he had Conor Bradley, and then he let him breathe. Why? Have a go until he gets a yellow card!”
Henry highlighted a specific moment that encapsulated the problem: “Vinicius received the ball in a one-on-one… and he passed it back. Then he got it back and it was a one-versus-three. I thought, wait, do the math. You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that.”
His co-pundit, former Madrid forward Gareth Bale, agreed with the assessment, suggesting the star attackers were guilty of overcomplication. “It’s frustrating,” Bale said. “Sometimes they just need to try and test the defender. They’re clearly faster than anyone else on the pitch.”
Bale theorized that the absence of a traditional central striker may have contributed to their hesitant play, leaving them without a clear target for crosses. The disappointing night for Madrid’s glittering attack served as a stark reminder that even the brightest stars can be dimmed on European football’s biggest stages.
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