Rice deserves the title of 100 million pound blockbuster

Rice had another good game.

Under the legendary lights of Bernabeu in the early morning of April 17, tens of thousands of Real Madrid fans were still stunned when the final whistle blew. Arsenal not only defeated the 15-time Champions League champions, but did so convincingly with a 2-1 victory right at the "Los Blancos" home ground, closing the quarter-finals with a total score of 5-1 - a real earthquake.

And at the center of that "earthquake", Declan Rice stood out as a hero, a leader, a perfect defensive machine that any team would dream of owning.

One Madrid Night and the Birth of “Tackle it like Rice”

After the first leg at Emirates, fans still talked about Rice's two great free kicks with the phrase "Bend it like Rice". But in the second leg, European football witnessed another version - "Tackle it like Rice". It was not just an improvised phrase, but became a symbol of a modern, sophisticated, decisive and precise defensive style.

From the very first minute, Rice showed why Arsenal were willing to spend over £100 million to bring him from West Ham. As Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s biggest hope in midfield, was preparing to launch an attack near the Arsenal penalty area, Rice appeared like a whirlwind. He pressed hard, forcing Bellingham to fall in surprise.

But the referee never blew his whistle - because Rice did everything with absolute precision. It was not only a brave move, but also the first warning to Real Madrid: "I am here to prevent any danger".

Unlike the image of midfielders who only know how to clear the ball, Rice possesses a football of calmness and thinking. During the 90 minutes at Bernabeu, Rice did not just simply tackle the ball, he read the situation like a mathematician, always moving at the right time, present at the right hot spot.

Rice tackled Bellingham and sent him tumbling.

Typically, in the 53rd minute, when Bellingham escaped into Arsenal's penalty area, just a moment of lack of concentration could have resulted in a penalty for Real Madrid. But Rice handled the situation coolly, tackling the ball with centimeter accuracy, completely eliminating the risk.

Alongside Thomas Partey, the duo formed a solid “shield pair”, completely neutralizing Real Madrid’s central combinations - the strongest point of the Spanish Royal team. With their support, Arsenal’s defense operated like a pre-programmed machine, gradually breaking down the connection between Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham.

What Real Madrid did was just harmless passes, most of the time, the ball was at the feet of the red and white players. That was partly thanks to Rice's impressive performance with 96% accurate passing, creating 2 scoring opportunities, 4 accurate interceptions, 2 tackles and 3 timely interventions.

More than a midfielder - spiritual leader and unexpected explosive

Rice is more than just a sweeper. He inspires the team with his tireless fighting spirit, always playing as if this were the final match of his career.

In the match against Brentford in round 32 last weekend, although Arsenal had almost given up on the Premier League title race, Rice still played with full energy, without the concept of "holding back" or "playing to conserve energy". That is the identity of a great warrior - someone who always gives his all regardless of the opponent, the playing field, or the circumstances.

Rice contributed to neutralizing Mbappe.

Not only that, Rice also knows how to shine at the right time. In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, he scored two superb free-kicks that stunned the football world. In the second leg, he was a solid support in the middle of the field, transforming into a "fifth defender" whenever the home team needed it. Every time Arsenal encountered difficulties, people saw Rice drop deep, actively shielding the defense, ready to rush forward to become a support to deploy the ball or launch unexpected shots.

In the summer of 2023, Rice's move to Arsenal was met with a lot of skepticism. £100 million for a central midfielder - is it too risky? But what Rice has shown this season has erased all the controversy. In an era where Rodri has become the backbone of big clubs, Rice has affirmed his position with his own form and remarkable progress.

Without Rice, Arsenal struggled every time they lacked a “sweeper” in the middle of the pitch. But when he was present, Mikel Arteta’s team seemed to be empowered, defending solidly, counter-attacking sharply and maintaining an incredibly stable rhythm.

Overcoming Real Madrid, Arsenal will face the challenge of PSG - a young, ambitious team with excellent individuals. But as long as Rice is there, the Gunners can believe in a bright future. He is the fulcrum, the one who inspires and the bridge between the lines, ready to "become a superhero" whenever the team needs him.

In April, Declan Rice is living the sweetest moment of his career, sublimating on the Champions League stage - where the value of a big star is affirmed. And if Arsenal progress to the top of glory, history will remember the season when Rice turned the impossible into reality, with his own style of play - "Tackle it like Rice!"

Source: https://znews.vn/rice-xung-danh-bom-tan-100-trieu-bang-post1546494.html