Underestimating Real is always a bad idea. In the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, their decisive blow was unexpected. We are accustomed to relying on old values, historical commitments, and core qualities that define identity. Perhaps within all of this, a mystical power always resides.

We have another testament to football's irrationality and Real's unique "logic." From the synergy created by die-hard fans in the stands and warriors on the pitch, magical nights are born. This team had just endured profound disappointments. The abyss of misfortune seemed bottomless: from a controversial squad-building plan, persistent injuries, to poor results. Yet, an admirable trait emerged: Real does not allow fear to invade their minds.

Valverde scores Real's third goal in their 3-0 victory over Man City in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on 11/3. Photo: Reuters

Despite missing key players and facing a formidable opponent at Santiago Bernabeu, Arbeloa's team was united by a spirit of pure dedication and love. This was enough to establish a solid foundation for the match. Then, Federico Valverde, in a brilliant night, ignited the stadium, where once again spectators couldn't believe their eyes. Indeed, joy is never quite the same. Unexpected joys are what make history.

It was not the first time Man City was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Bernabeu. But this time, something felt different. Pep Guardiola is a genius who teaches us to think about gameplay before goals. For this reason, he often floods the midfield to establish dominance, sometimes to an extreme degree. By this rule, goals are a natural consequence. If we make goals the sole objective, we lose our way in both direction and timing. But this time, Guardiola's lineup was full of forwards, who created a stir from the opening minutes.

However, as the game settled into a steady rhythm, Real began to make a difference, embodying a tireless, decisive, and effective collective. Later, as their energy waned, they knew how to drop deep and, in a rare display of unity this season, they reached the finish line without much suffering.

Man City dominated the start of the match with the speed of Doku (number 11) and skilled players like Bernardo Silva (right). Photo: Reuters

With Vinicius on the left and Brahim Diaz on the right wing, the penalty area was almost empty. Only surging midfielders could fill that void. That's when Valverde appeared like a tropical storm. He started from deep with powerful and graceful strides, as if descending a slope, covering vast distances that he himself compressed.

For the first goal, both the marking defender and the Man City goalkeeper misjudged. Valverde, with millimeter precision, bypassed both, then finished from a tight angle with his right foot. For the second goal, he made a diagonal run across the field and finished diagonally, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma helpless, this time with his left foot.

The third goal was a masterpiece. In a tight space, Valverde received a high ball, turned it into a "sombrero" (flicking the ball over an opponent's head), and then finished with an unstoppable cannon shot. It had been a long time since we had seen something similar, and the Bernabeu erupted in rightful acclaim for a player who has consistently maintained peak performance for a long time. It was a night of deserved reward.

I do not forget that Man City is a great team and they have the right to respond in tomorrow's return leg. But that Bernabeu night provided further proof of its power, serving as a springboard for their "leap" to England.

Mbappe and Real players leaving the bus to their hotel in Manchester on 16/3. Photo: AS

I do not deny the competitiveness of the Premier League, a demanding league with high-intensity matches. But it does not seem to be a place that celebrates a different, artistic kind of football. There are more and more physical players, a resurgence of man-marking, long thought forgotten, and a constant effort to turn corner kicks into penalties.

Perhaps, they should look towards La Liga, which never forgets efficiency but also never rejects beauty.

Hoang Thong translates