Real Madrid have gone and done it again, against all the odds.
They have virtually come back from the dead in not one, not two, but three second-leg ties at the Santiago Bernabéu, their fortress, to reach their 17th Champions League final.
In all three games, Madrid looked gone lifeless.
No one gave them a chance.
In all three games, when Madrid needed to make a change, they turned to Eduardo Camavinga off the bench.
Against PSG, Camavinga came on for Kroos after 57 minutes with Madrid down 0-1.
End result: Madrid win 3-1 and are through to the quarters.
Against Chelsea, Camavinga came on for Kroos once more in the 73rd minute with Madrid down 0-2.
Result: Madrid lose 2-3, enough to advance to the semi-finals, with the midfielder playing a role in both goals.
Against Manchester City, Camavinga came on for Modric in the 75th minute with Madrid down 0-1.
Result: Madrid win 3-1 and will lock horns with Liverpool for a chance to lift a 14th Champions League trophy.
Without Camavinga on the pitch, the aggregate score 0-4.
With Camavinga on the pitch, the aggregate score 8-1 (second legs only).
It is not that straightforward, of course, but the 19-year-old was a game-changer in all three games.
Camavinga played 125 minutes, amassing 85 touches and 86% average pass accuracy, winning 9 ground duels and 7 tackles.
He brings a different dimension to the Real Madrid midfield with his ball-carrying, passing range & ball-winning ability.
In this tactical analysis, we examine the impact of Camavinga’s cameos off the bench in helping Real Madrid reach the Champions League final.
Real Madrid Vs Paris Saint-Germain
In the last 16 second leg tie vs PSG, Camavinga was excellent, bringing energy and legs to the midfield and enabling Madrid to turn the tide in a tough game.
He played 37 minutes and completed 15 of his 16 passes.
PSG had been in complete control since the first whistle blew at the Parc des Princes three weeks earlier.
Camavinga came on for Kroos in the 57th minute.
Four minutes later, Benzema scored to make it 2-1 on aggregate.
Camavinga was introduced as a pivot in Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 alongside Modric and Valverde.
He displayed calmness on the ball, quality touches and the ability to turn away from opponents.
But his main task was to stop PSG’s rhythm and prevent them from playing.
This was demonstrated in the build-up to Madrid’s quick-fire 2nd and 3rd goals in minutes 76 and 77.
Camavinga puts the pressure on Neymar on the right touchline.
He was everywhere during the game, doing the running for the likes of Modric.
Neymar gets rid of it and plays the ball to Hakimi.
Camavinga directly jumps on Hakimi’s toes and blocks the ball out for a throw-in.
