Milan vs. Madrid: Bendtner's Hattrick Seals Victory
By: Wolfgang Fötze
Milan came into this match with confidence, fresh off a 2-0 win over fellow promoted side Belgrade, while one of the title favorites, Deportivo Madrid, were seeking redemption after a lackluster 0-0 draw with Norden, a match in which they narrowly avoided defeat. The stage was set, and the match kicked off with anticipation from both sets of supporters. In the 8th minute, Madrid earned a corner, and it was Billy Boyo who stepped up to take it. Boyo's delivery found its way into the box but was headed away by Milan attacker Moise Bean. However, the ball fell to the feet of Jay Sobaku, who showed good composure to pick out Loørd Bendtner. Bendtner controlled the ball and clinically placed the ball into the right side of the net to give Madrid the early lead. Milan was not to be outdone, and they responded. In the 23rd minute, right-back Joao Cabral embarked on a run down the right wing, initially appearing intent on delivering a cross. However, with a burst of creativity, Cabral cut inside just outside the box and delivered a precise through ball that sliced through the Madrid defense. The recipient of this pass was Babatunde Agachuthu, who controlled it before executing a swift turn and firing the ball into the net, levelling the score. The remainder of the first half saw both teams threatening but unable to create chances, as the match reached halftime without any further changes to the scoreline. The second half exploded into life when Eom Ji-Sung, with the ball outside the box, displayed strength and determination to outmuscle the Milan defenders. Ji-Sung's vision led him to find Bobby Shmurda inside the box, who unleashed a thunderous right-footed shot into the left side of the goal, restoring Madrid's lead. Milan, determined to claw their way back into the match, sent all their players forward in the 70th minute, a tactic that left their defence exposed. Madrid capitalized on this tactical shift, as Billy Boyo played a pinpoint through ball to substitute Marcus Wood on the right wing. Wood unselfishly squared the ball across the face of the goal, setting up an easy tap-in for the Loørd Bendtner, completing his brace. The relentless Milan assault continued, but Madrid had the last word. In the 73rd minute, Bendtner intercepted a Milan clearance on the left wing, looking like to deliver a curved cross to Marcus Wood. However, he astounded everyone by lofting the ball over Milan's goalkeeper, Riku Nohomo, and into the top right corner of the net, securing his hattrick in style. Faced with a formidable Madrid side, Milan made the pragmatic decision to revert to their normal shape and abandon their all-out attacking approach. As the final whistle blew, Deportivo Madrid emerged victorious with a convincing 4-1 scoreline, thanks to another Loørd Bendtner masterclass in front of goal.
