FC Twente succumbed under the pressure of Linda Caicedo and Signe Bruun. Most of the opportunities for Real Madrid came down the wing where Caicedo was. The home team started strong, scoring the opening goal but gave it lead away just before half time. In the second half it was a different FC Twente, a team that was not strong enough to withstand against the Spanish club. Read everything about the Women’s Champions League match between FC Twente and Real Madrid here.
Key Takeaways FC Twente vs Real Madrid
- Match ends in 2-3.
- FC Twente opened the score.
- Real Madrid equalizes just before half time.
- Caicedo is the most dangerous player for Real Madrid
- Little from Feller, who was subbed off for Redondo.
- Knol had to leave the pitch due to a head injury.
- The home teams succumbs to high pressure down the wings.
Recovering from the 7-0 defeat
Joran Pot and his team analyzed the away match at Real madrid until every last detail was known. You could see FC Twente started out better, more aware of the spaces they could use. FC Twente’s press was a lot higher and the return of Ravensbergen did the team good. She sustained an ACL injury shortly after signing with FC Twente but is back with the squad again.
Real Madrid scored the opener during the home game after only 3 minutes. This surprised the Dutch, and they could not turn it around. In the Grolsch Veste FC Twente was at home and there was a clear difference in their play. Real Madrid did enter the FC Twente box a couple times in the first 15 minutes, but nothing as threatening as we saw in the previous match. It was Twente that took most of the initiative
All the danger came from the left wing
Linda Caicedo managed to drive into FC Twente’s box on multiple occasions. Her shots went wide and were defended well. The visitors made the most of every misstep the Dutch made. The biggest and most notable difference between the two is the experience. Real Madrid is more precise and clinical in their approach to the game and 1v1 a lot better. Yet FC Twente was more in control in the first half. The Dutch accomplished this mostly through determination and drive, something the visitors lacked in the first half.
FC Twente opens the score
After 20 minutes of play Van Dooren had a beautiful chance from long range. Her effort went wide but the buildup was good. Moments later it was the home team with the first goal.
The opening goal came from a setpiece; Ravensbergen her comeback is what FC Twente needed. Tuin took the free kick, about 20 yards out. Her delivery went to the far post and Ravensbergen was there to put it past Misa. Real Madrid immediately looked for a response, but the Dutch defense is there to stop them.
The visitors are looking for the equaliser
Linda Caicedo was the most threatening player for Real Madrid tonight. Everything that came down the wing was Caicedo’s doing. After another good run in the box it was Knol that stopped her just in time before putting the ball in between Clark and the near post. We have seen Caicedo do it many times and she is not a player you want driving into the box like that. It did earn her team a corner, but they could not capitalize on it.
The play continued after Real Madrid sent the ball back into the box. Two players ended up on the ground. Signe Bruun with a bloody nose and Knol blocked a powerful strike from Rocío with her head. The teams were both with 10 players for a moment. Bruun had to swap shirts as everything was covered in blood, but she came back on. Knol was not as lucky. With head injuries players are sometimes kept on the bench. Te Brake came on for the Dutch player.
As half time neared it was Caicedo who equalized for Real Madrid. It could not have been any other player. The first shot was blocked brilliantly by Clark. Next was Toletti her effort, also blocked, this time by a FC Twente defender. The ball landed with Caicedo who easily put it past Clark this time.
Showing the opponent too much respect
Something FC Twente said after the first leg was that they showed Real Madrid too much respect. This seemed to be the case again in the second half. Real Madrid started out with a lot more motivation; Feller dispossessed an FC Twente player near the box, her pass to Bruun was good who then tried to find Weir. The Dutch defence stopped the attack but it was a clear sign that Real Madrid was there to win.
The home team was not going to give away the points to easily. Peddemors and Van Dijk build up FC Twente’s attack once again and earned the team a corner. Real Madrid defended well and immediately went for the break. The next corner was for the visitors but also ended with the opposition clearing the ball.
FC Twente lack individual qualities to win from Real Madrid
The second half started to look more like the first leg in Spain. Real Madrid had most of the control, winning the 1v1 battles and intercepting a lot of FC Twente’s passes. Signe Bruun should have scored the 1-2. A defensive mistake delivered the ball to Feller, who found Weir near the edge of the box. Weir did not go for a shot herself but passed to Bruun down the left. The Danish international’s effort went just wide.
The pressure was on and Caicedo set up the next big chance for Real Madrid. Caicedo’s shot was blocked by Clark but the rebound landed with Feller, who’s shot went over.
The lack of goals in the second half did not sit well with Toril. He brought on Alba Redondo for Feller. Real Madrid’s good spell was rewarded with the 1-2 after Caicedo was too quick for Tuin. Her delivery to Bruun was timed well. The Danish international put in the back of the net.
Ten minutes left on the clock
FC Twente did not give up even though they gave away their lead. There were still ten minutes on the clock, so anything was still possible. A draw between Real Madrid and FC Twente would mean that everything was still very open in the group.
Peddemors, who received her first call up for the Dutch national team, went for a long range effort, which went just wide from the post. In the last minutes Lakrar saved Real Madrid with some astounding defending. FC Twente had two players in the box and only Lakrar was there to block the shot from Te Brake.
Alba Redondo finished it in stoppage time; Bruun got the better of Carleer, sending Redondo through the FC Twente defence. Her effort was perfectly placed past Clark. Te Brake managed the 2-3 with a wonderfull effort from just outside the box. It’s a shame it happened just after Redondo scored the 1-3. If Celtic also loses their match, FC Twente cannot qualify for the next round anymore. In that case Real Madrid and Chelsea are through to the next round. All that is left, is the battle for the 1st place. Chelsea is unbeaten so far, so they are the favourites.
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