Fernando Redondo Recalled the Backheel Action at Old Trafford

DBasia.news –  An interesting, memorable, historic story carved by Real Madrid on its way to the 13th title (La Decimotercera) Champions League. From 1956 to 1966, then had vacuum for a few years, and then began to achieve it again in 1998 continued until 2002.

After 2002 it took Madrid 11 years to win the 10th Champions League title in 2014 and only three other titles were won in 2016, 2017 and 2018 under the direction of Zinedine Zidane – the hat-trick of the Champions League trophy.

So many stories from the club’s long journey nicknamed Los Blancos. One such story happened in the 1999-2000 season. Real Madrid plays at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s headquarters in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Both teams played out a goalless draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg. The taps of the two teams’ new goals open in the second leg. Five goals were created for Madrid’s 3-2 win from Roy Keane’s own goal (21′) and Raul’s two goals (50′, 52′) which were reduced by David Beckham (64′) and Paul Scholes (88 ‘penalty).

Raul scored the goal process in the game was created with a slick attack process. Madrid defensive midfielder Fernando Redondo combs the right side of Man United’s defense, doing a backheel to fool Henning Berg before giving assists for Raul’s goal.

“What does this child have in his shoes? Magnets,” said Sir Alex Ferguson, Man United’s manager at the time. “I will never forget the backheel from Redondo, it’s one of the most beautiful game I’ve ever seen on a soccer field,” added the match referee Pierluigi Collina.

Real Madrid later won the Champions League by eliminating Bayern Munich (3-2 on aggregate) and Valencia in the final 3-0.

Redondo remembers the iconic backheel that is remembered as one of the best moments in the Champions League. He told how to do the backheel, the last backheel he did in the lower division of Argentine soccer.

“Felt like a lie that it (happened) 20 years ago. That was one of the memories that I remember the most. Maybe because we did win the Champions League that season. I remember the game well and it started in half of our game,” explained Redondo to US.

“We got pressure from United players, I received the ball from Roberto Carlos, played it for Savio and he played it back to me at the top of Gary Neville’s head and I went left. It was an inspirational moment and in a one-on-one duel, the backheel was a technical step.”

“I have never done it before in a professional manner but often do it in the lower leagues with Argentino Juniors. For me, it is important to raise my head and stop to see Raul at the back post to finish it.”

That was Redondo’s last season with Real Madrid, which he has defended since 1994. Previously he strengthened Argentinos Juniors, Tenerife, then retired in 2004 with AC Milan.

My relationship with Real Madrid is eternal. I haven’t played for veterans because of my knee injury but we keep in touch. “When I go to the Bernabeu or Valdebebas, I always feel at home,” concluded Redondo.