It
was a typical opportunistic finish from Javier Hernandez. The Mexican's
scuffed strike from close range slotted past two rival defenders and
into an empty net. It won't win any awards, but it was enough to settle
an extremely tense derby duel, save Real Madrid's stuttering season and
probably Carlo Ancelotti's job as well.
Madrid came into this
match having failed to beat Atleti in any of the last seven derbies
disputed in 2014-15. They were depleted too as Marcelo missed out
through suspension and injuries left Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim
Benzema sidelined.
Without a like-for-like replacement for
Benzema, Ancelotti was down to the bare bones and Chicharito, who has
spent most of the season on the Bernabeu bench, was given a rare
opportunity to show what he can do in place of the absent France
forward.
"He can't fail," former Madrid and Mexico striker Hugo
Sanchez said before this game. "If the midfield works, he will have a
chance and he must take it."
And he did, albeit after missing
several other opportunities. Unlike the more technical but languid
figure of Benzema (who, incidentally, has scored only once in 15
appearances against Simeone's side), Chicharito was everywhere in this
one, making himself a nuisance throughout.
The Mexican had given
glimpses of his worth against Malaga at the Bernabeu on Saturday,
setting up a goal for Cristiano Ronaldo and running tirelessly to cause
problems for the visitors.
And it's all thanks to
Chicharito. Sometimes an unlikely hero can be crucial to winning the
biggest prizes and on this occasion, that man was Hernandez. The
Mexican, who prays whenever he enters the pitch, has kept the faith
through tough times and he delivered when it mattered most. Madrid and
Ancelotti have much to thank him for.
Story adopted from mail online,football.