The Santiago Bernabéu hosted the twelfth edition of the Legends Match, which pitted Real Madrid legends against Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid held a new edition of the Corazón Classic Match at the Santiago Bernabéu, pitting Real Madrid legends against Borussia Dortmund.
This new edition, called « A Pass for Hope, » marked the end of Real Madrid’s time at the stadium until the start of next season in mid-August. The new feature this time was the return of former players such as Pepe, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, and, above all, Toni Kroos.
The German footballer returned to Chamartín 358 days after his retirement as a professional footballer.
First up, the Real Madrid squad was made up of Buyo, Kiko Casilla, Contreras, Míchel Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Pepe, Varane, Milla, Raúl, Butragueño, Baptista, Toni Kroos, Congo, Alfonso, Amavisca, Iván Campo, Marcelo, Raúl Bravo, Fernando Sanz, and Granero. Camacho and Castro sat on the benches.
For the German team, the squad was made up of: Weidenfeller, Bender, Da Silva, Zidan, Petric, Riedle, Dede, Heinrich, Barrios, Großkreutz, Ramos, Kirch, Amoroso, Leitner, Owomoyela, Sokratis, Castro, Toprak, and Durm.
Real Madrid started the match with a starting eleven consisting of Contreras, Michel Salgado, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, Kroos, Iván Campo, Granero, Julio Baptista, and Raúl. The Santiago Bernabéu was a celebration. Every ball the German midfielder touched was applauded by the vast majority of the fans present.
The goals were not long in coming: Julio Baptista finished off a masterful cross from Marcelo in the 3rd minute to put Real Madrid ahead. Furthermore, every dribble from a Real Madrid player lifted the spectators from their seats. Despite Borussia Dortmund’s goals, the Real Madrid stadium never stopped cheering for their team. At every Real Madrid set piece, the fans stood up to applaud and take photos because the star was always the same: Toni Kroos.
One of the greatest moments of the match at the Santiago Bernabéu came in the 34th minute. Marcelo won a penalty and immediately looked for Toni Kroos to take control of the shot, which ended with Weindenfeller putting the ball into the goal. Furthermore, Paco Buyo came on in the closing stages of the first half, a moment when the Madrid stadium rose to its feet to give him a standing ovation, just as it did when he saved a Borussia Dortmund shot. The result was the least of Real Madrid’s annual football celebration.
Another save from Buyo following a free kick drew applause, the same applause that was also felt when he was substituted five minutes into the second half. The celebration was such on the pitch that former players like Marcelo were playing in every position, even on the right wing in some instances. Other former players like Kroos, Granero, Varane, Pepe, and even Michel Salgado showed no signs of fatigue, as did Raúl. The legendary number 7 of Real Madrid couldn’t miss the goal, and he scored with his head, as he knew best.
In addition to the German midfielder, Pepe was another of the most cheered throughout this Corazón Classic Match. The 42-year-old Portuguese player made his way into attacking positions on more than one occasion. Furthermore, during the two hydration breaks, former players from both teams could be seen chatting, likely sharing anecdotes and memories from other matches played at the Bernabéu.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium rose to its feet in the 85th minute to bid farewell to Toni Kroos, who acknowledged the fans’ ovation with applause and smiles as he left the field. Another of the day’s protagonists was Kiko Casilla, who came on in the second half for Paco Buyo, making some impressive saves. The match ended 3-3, but the fans were delighted to be able to enjoy their legends again.
