THE REAL MADRID YOUNGSTERS READY TO TAKE OVER THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FROM THE CLUB LEGENDS
As Real Madrid’s ageing stars watched on from the touchline while their younger counterparts saw out a remarkable Champions League semi-final victory, it was evidence that the club’s immediate and longer term future may be in better shape than many critics have suggested.
None of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos or Casemiro was on the pitch as the final whistle went on a 6-5 aggregate success over Manchester City that earned Carlo Ancelotti’s side a spot in Saturday’s final against Liverpool.
Rodrygo wrote his name into Real folklore with two late goals to take that tie to extra time, Eduardo Camavinga glided across the turf making the Bernabeu his own and Federico Valverde’s engine was still whirring after 120 minutes.
Brazil forward Vinicius Junior, whose tally of 51 appearances this season is more than any of his team-mates, scored a superb solo effort in the first leg and lasted until five minutes from time in the second.
| Real Madrid’s top appearance-makers in all competitions 2021-22 | |
|---|---|
| Vinicius Junior | 51 apps; 4,184 minutes |
| Thibaut Courtois | 50 apps; 4,590 minutes |
| Eder Militao | 49 apps; 4,406 minutes |
| Rodrygo | 48 apps; 2,435 minutes |
| Casemiro | 46 apps; 3,767 minutes |
