Chapter 623: Top 8
This commentator took the pulse of QPR and was quite accurate.
Simeone also knows what the team's problems are, but he will have to wait until half-time to adjust.
Luckily, Galatasaray also slackened after taking the lead, and for the next 10 minutes of the first half, they did not attack again, but carefully began to defend.
If they attack, they will find that the seemingly strong and star-studded QPR is as fragile as paper paste at this time, and they have every chance to score another goal.
But there are no ifs in the game.
Galatasaray missed the opportunity to extend their lead, while QPR got into the dressing room and got a respite.
Simeone immediately made changes to the team. There is no need for much change in personnel for the time being, mainly because the functions of each player need to be adjusted.
Fernandinho is dedicated to defending Sneijder, and Pogba has to take care of more defensive tasks when he retreats; When Ricardo was targeted by Melo, Nainggolan and Pogba had to play more to the right, allowing Neymar to give full play to his technical advantages and disrupt the opponent's defence.
Simeone's only substitution was that youngster Mauro Icardi came on to replace Klose!
At this time, he doesn't need Klose's experience, but Icardi's drive!
At the beginning of the second half, QPR launched a ferocious high press.
Galatasaray, who is leading the score, will definitely not attack, QPR needs to attack, needs the ball, then can only grab!
At this time, the role of replacing Icardi is highlighted, Icardi is young and full of energy after all, he spares no effort to run, although he can't grab the ball himself, but he can force the opponent to make mistakes in the middle of the rush, and create opportunities for his teammates to break the ball!
In the 53rd minute, Eboue passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, the pass was slightly lighter, Icardi rushed over with a 100-meter sprint, Muslera could only rush the ball to the side, but not far away. Neymar chested the ball, brushed past Riella, and continued to drive into the penalty area with the ball.
Galatasaray's defenders immediately returned to defence and Neymar was bumped by Kaya, stumbling and taking a few more steps with the ball before passing it towards goal.
But he pushed too hard, Icardi didn't touch the ball, and goalkeeper Muslera didn't touch the ball.
Ricardo couldn't get the ball at the back post, he turned and ran a few steps, only to catch up with the ball just as he was about to get out of the box, and with his back to Eboue, he dribbled a shot and then flicked the ball towards the bottom line and flicked it wide and crossed high.
Icardi leaps high up the middle and gets the ball on the edge of the ball with precision, and the ball deflects towards goal.
Muslera failed to make a meritorious contribution, he made a hasty save, but he could not save his fate!
"Icardi Goalllllllll! It was the youngster's first Champions League goal! He only made 2 appearances for Sampdoria last season, scoring 1 goal, and no one expected him to burst out when he came to QPR! Once abandoned by La Masia, he has found his place in QPR! ”
Icardi was so excited that he jumped at Ricardo, hugged him tightly and shouted in Ricardo's ear: "Thank you, captain!" ”
Ricardo patted him on the head: "Do a good job, I'm very optimistic about you." Sooner or later, you'll be able to get a top scorer. ”
"Unless you're retired, captain, or we're not in the same league anymore." Icardi said obediently.
The lad is really good at talking...... No wonder Wanda was abducted to London.
Fortunately, he already has Wanda, otherwise Ricardo would not have dared to sign him.
After pulling a goal back, QPR did not stop the pace of attack.
They need one more goal to reach the last eight.
Galatasaray flinched and began to fight back. Sneijder's long pass launched a counterattack, Drogba did the midlay, and the demon blade Yilmaz attacked, which was their usual routine.
However, Fernandinho intensified his close pressing on Sneijder, making it impossible for Sneijder to pass the ball easily; The backline has also stepped up their marking of Yilmaz.
So while Galatasaray's counter-attack was impressive, it didn't pose a lethal threat.
On the contrary, QPR frequently threatens the opponent's goal.
After deliberately shifting the focus of attack to the right, Neymar gradually became active. Although his physical ability needs to be improved, he is often able to form breakthroughs and deliver passes with his excellent foot skills.
Icardi, on the other hand, has a knack for grabbing points and has kept Muslera scrambling on several occasions.
Especially in the 71st minute, Neymar crossed a low ball from the side, Icardi followed up in the middle and pushed the shot, the ball hit Muslera's leg, bounced to the crossbar and bounced back into the penalty area, fortunately, Eboue quickly cleared the ball, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
Despite having only 71 minutes left, QPR still played without rush. They are full of confidence. Last season, they were able to do wonders. This season, there is no reason for them to fall in the sand on Galatasaray.
At this point, Simeone brought on De Bruyne for Pogba to sort out the attack.
De Bruyne's appearance has made QPR's front court more creative.
Just two minutes after he came on, he almost set up Ricardo's goal.
He had his back to goal and suddenly turned around and sent a through ball that Ricardo cut in diagonally from the flank and faced the last defender, Kaya, who made a flick of his tail and then shot from a tight angle.
But Muslera was focused, quickly sank down and blocked the ball with his feet.
In the 78th minute, it was De Bruyne again, he pulled to the right side to receive the ball, sent a through plug forward, Neymar cut in at high speed, got the ball near the baseline, buckled back and crossed with his left foot.
Icardi nodded the ball in front of him, and the ball went into the net.
"Icardi Goalllllllll! The lad had a fantastic night and he scored twice on such an important stage! As it turns out, Ricardo and Marotta have a discerning eye, and most of the buying decisions they made in these two seasons have proven to be unique! Who would have thought that the youngster, who made two appearances and scored one goal in Serie B last season, would improve by leaps and bounds this season? ”
"With more than ten minutes left in the game, QPR must now focus on defense, and if they maintain this scoreline, they will advance to the next round without a hitch!"
"With every step of the way, QPR is making history. They are in the Champions League for the first time in their history, they are in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history, and now they are about to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in their history! ”
When it comes to defense, QPR really hasn't been afraid of anyone. Simeone, who has been in Serie A for many years, has a wealth of defensive experience, and the defensive system he has built for the team is not as good as the orthodox Italian chain defence, but it is not far off.
And QPR's ball control skills are also growing, and they can kill time with skillful ball control.
In the last ten minutes, Galatasaray held back a lot of energy to attack, but the ball was always firmly controlled at the feet of QPR and did not give them many chances.
As Drogba kicked a burst into the stands, the referee blew the whistle three times to signal the end of the game.
QPR has reached the last 8 of the Champions League!