The €180 million benchwarmers

Real Madrid were 2-1 down and showing no signs of making a comeback. Carlo Ancelotti had no option but to look to his subs in search of a quick fix. The Italian went for a radical change that in the end didn't work, but certainly raised a few eyebrows.

It was hard to believe, but by taking off Bale and James, the Real manager was sending €180 million-worth of players to the bench. The Welshman, visibly surprised, took his time to react and went over to the sideline half-heartedly. In contrast, the forever-eager Colombian, who was on the other side of the pitch, whizzed over to the dugout in a flash.

Jesé and Khedira came on in their place and as soon as they settled into their positions, the changes made began to make sense. The youth-academy player played out on the right, his objective being to get round Gayà and Orban and cross the ball in from the touchline without having to pull the ball back to find his good leg, as Bale was having to do. Bale could have perhaps avoided being taken off if he had gone for assisting Benzema in a one-on-one situation when the game was still at 1-1.

Khedira came on to replace James and played alongside Kroos, giving more strength to the middle of the park. The idea was to free up Isco, who was playing more than anything out on the left wing. Real Madrid adopted a 4-2-4 system, becoming more effective on the attack and creating more danger in the rivals' area. It was a good plan, but at the end of the day it didn't work. Chicharito for Benzema was the last change Ancelotti made in Real's desperate attempt to right previous wrongs.