This is Real Madrid’s tournament. This is Real Madrid’s time of year.
The noises of appreciation that swept around the stadium as Carlo Ancelotti’s holders dominated carried an ominous tone for every other contender aiming to stop Real claiming a 16th triumph in this tournament.
When Real lost 2-0 at Liverpool in November they looked laboured and off the pace, without Vinicius Junior and with Mbappe still finding his feet after his move to Madrid.
Here, Mbappe looked every inch the world-class operator he is, showing class and composure to lob Ederson for his first, then showing superb sleight of foot to bamboozle Gvardiol for his second.
The hat-trick goal crowned the 26-year-old’s perfect night, fully deserving the rapturous standing ovation he received when substituted 13 minutes from time.
Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Mbappe form an attacking triumvirate that is a threat to any opponents they face and it was all too much for City, even more so after they lost Stones to injury after only seven minutes.
And, of course, watching it all from the sidelines was the Champions League’s history man, Ancelotti, who has been over this course and distance so successfully, a five-time winner as a coach. He knows how this particular job is done.
Real Madrid, the most successful and ruthless operators in the Champions League, look in the mood once more.
Source: BBC
