Real Madrid was eliminated in one of the toughest ties of the season. Arsenal set their pace from the first minute and gave no options. The white team never managed to control the match or respond to the opponent's physicality.
Thierry Henry Analyzes Real Madrid's Elimination
Thierry Henry, now a commentator, was especially alert to everything that happened in the tie. As an analyst, he observes every detail and doesn't side with anyone. Although he was a Barça legend in the past, he has often praised Madrid for their competitive character.
However, this time Henry didn't want to hold back. After the match, he presented very revealing data about the Spanish team's physical performance. He said he had been doubtful about Ancelotti's offensive setup for some time.
Henry, Real Madrid, and a Harsh Conclusion After the Match
"I wanted to see what Ancelotti was going to do this season with those names in attack," Henry commented live. According to him, there is an evident imbalance that affects the group's performance. The most striking part came when he brought up the distance covered statistics.
Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo: Called Out by Thierry Henry
"In the Champions League, among those who run the least per match... there are three from Real Madrid," he stated without hesitation. Although he didn't give the names, it seems he was talking about Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes. Three world-class stars who stand out for their quality, but not for their defensive effort.
Henry didn't criticize them for their talent, but for their lack of involvement in physical tasks. In highly demanding duels like a European semifinal, every meter counts. If three of your strikers don't help, the system suffers.
Henry Holds Nothing Back and Points to Real Madrid's Future
The Frenchman emphasized that having so many static forwards breaks the balance of any structure. Ancelotti has trusted them for their ability to create imbalance, but that comes at a price. If there's no compensation behind, the opponent grows and controls the pace.
Henry's reflection goes beyond the elimination. He is already thinking about the next season and the necessary adjustments. Florentino Pérez and his technical team will have to make difficult decisions if they want to reign in Europe again.
Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo: Talent Without Sacrifice in the Champions
The three strikers are stars, but on big nights more than quality with the ball is needed. Physicality, pressure, and commitment make the difference at these levels. That's what Henry missed the most in this tie.
His words have gone around the world and haven't gone unnoticed in Madrid. The debate is open: can three forwards without defensive involvement coexist in today's soccer? Henry believes they can't, and he has made that clear.