Ceballos's Message to Brahim After the Penalty That Almost Cost the Team the Defeat

Real Madrid left with a  significant one-goal advantage from the first leg of the Round of 16. The first match of the two to be played against Manchester City ended with another comeback by the Whites, typical of the great European nights approaching in the Merengue calendar. One of the most important plays of the match was led by Dani Ceballos.

The Andalusian midfielder is having a second half of the 24/25 season to remember. His performance on the field has made him the unexpected heir of Toni Kroos, the playmaker from the base of the tactical scheme so necessary since that retirement. Dani Ceballos has taken on the functions of the former German '8' and is leaving more than positive records.

That's why Carlo Ancelotti keeps him as a starter even in high-caliber matches like the visit to Etihad Stadium. Although his participation in this match was again positive, it is tarnished by the penalty he committed on Phil Foden in the final stages of the second half. That strict infraction, called by a Clément Turpin who had no doubts at any moment, came when the White squad was at its best.

Erling Haaland, finally scoring against Real Madrid, signed his particular brace from the penalty spot. The penalty seemed to doom the White club to a defeat they were striving to avoid since the start of the second half. Kylian Mbappé's goal, an hour into the match, meant 1-1 on the scoreboard at Etihad Stadium and left everything open for the return at Santiago Bernabéu.

Close to Ending in Tragedy

The good aim of the '9' sky blue, however, didn't help much. Because Carlo Ancelotti's changes, including Dani Ceballos himself, reversed an adverse scoreline and 'saved' the Andalusian midfielder from a truly compromising situation with his teammates. "Thanks for saving me from not playing anymore in two months", wrote the Utrera midfielder on Brahim Díaz's Instagram account.

The former Manchester City player, who didn't celebrate his goal against the cityzen squad, came on as a game-changer in the last ten minutes of the match and fulfilled his role perfectly. Scoring the 2-2 after a clearance error by Ederson, the match was balanced once again. But Dani Ceballos's 'salvation' would have another protagonist.

Because Jude Bellingham, after an irregular chip by Vinícius Jr., took advantage of the loose ball to send it to the back of the unguarded Mancunian goal. That goal, consolidating the comeback and the 2-3 on the scoreboard of the first leg, received a sincere message from Ceballos: "thanks, mate".

This important mistake was close to costing Real Madrid dearly in the Round of 16, but the subsequent reaction reminds us that soccer is a team sport. Despite the penalty committed, nothing indicates that Dani Ceballos will leave the starting line-up for that reason. Carlo Ancelotti will only remove him if he wishes to modify his plans for the Merengue 'engine room' in the upcoming matches.