48 hours later, Bernabéu was full
up again with 65,203 friends (doubling the attendance for the first
edition). The same people who 90 minutes later, left the stadium feeling
happy and talking about the numerous details of the actions of Ronaldo´s
and Zidane´s mates on the pitch. Exactly what they wanted. The meeting
of the two ambassadors of football was a total success. The result is
less important, as are as the events during the game. The best part was
the brave and supportive message transmitted to the world.
The game displayed as many details as the number of titles amassed by
the coaches occupying the benches; or as many as the stars on the pitch.
Wherever you looked there was something fun: with the connection between
Redondo-Zidane, with the friendly petty quarrels among Madrid players
shared on the pitch: Ronaldo-Raúl or Figo-Beckham... with lots of
affable rivalry included. Or with the power of Schumacher, or the drives
of Carlos Sáinz, sportsmen who on two levels received the applause of
the fans. As Nadal, the hero of Davis Cup, a self-confessed Madrid fan
that showed all the qualities of an inside-left winger.
Goals? Lots and very nice, such as the one from Raúl, shooting the ball
over Casillas. Or Figo´s goal, after a great solo move, weaving past
Redondo and Marchena by few inches. Although the most acclaimed goal was
Sainz´s, after a penalty on Ronaldo (very debatable) that the driver
finished off easily. And Collina helped.
And there were many "oohs" and "aahs" such as for the beautiful tackle
from Raúl; or a shot from Beckham, from the mid-field, that deserved to
have gone in, or a shot from Koller that went into the stand; the
changes of players didn´t spoil the show because the extraordinary
players who went out to the pitch gave it their all. The cause was
worthy, but they also did it with pride and ambition, because both teams
wanted to win. The show was well-appreciated. And along with all this,
they managed to improve the record for attendance, collections and
top-class goals over the first edition in Switzerland. The public made
the first wave at the 28th minute and, from then on, everything was
cheering, applause, having fun... And then everybody went back home:
very happy. |