For Real, the Champions League is not great, far from it. Two days have passed and they are up there, in the front row of Group D, with a draw against Inter (1-1) and an away victory in Salzburg, this Tuesday (0-2).
The numbers show that Real is not scared of a European classic like the Italians and grows against lesser rivals, no matter how vehement they may be. Salzburg has never shined in Europe, but the names of its mainstays – Simic, Konaté, the Israeli Gloukh – appear on the agendas of some top players. Salzburg plays in waves and, in the face of that, Real imposes judgment and calm.
La Real applies both serve factors as soon as it takes the lead on the scoreboard. He does it in the 7th minute, when Oyarzábal scores, and even more so in the 27th minute, with the goal from Brais Méndez.
A 0-2 is an interesting result in Salzburg. Nice cover letter.
Oyarzábal and Brais Méndez are precisely the best men in Real, although their squad features a range of consistent players. Kubo, Zubimendi or Mikel Merino would never be out of place in any of the best continental squads.
Of all of them, Oyarzábal plays at a higher level. The San Sebastian captain mounts and dismounts. He shows himself in a state of grace, he becomes the extension of Alguacil on the playing field, and he also builds, appeases and accelerates, each thing in its own time. His left foot is a gauntlet and a headache for the Austrians, who see him scramble everything in the right lane, and also when he orients himself towards the inside.
Salzburg arrives a lot, but arrives poorly. Twelve times he shoots in the direction of Remiro, only one of those shots hits the goal. The data shows us that Salzburg never finishes comfortably. In the face of vehemence, Real exhibits the beauty of its counterattack. The people from San Sebastián could have expanded the result. For now, they are doing well the way they are doing. Europe suits them like a glove.
