Fabinho's only match for Real Madrid saw Caballero get injured saving Ronaldo penalty

The Brazilian is now intrinsically linked to the Reds, with most forgetting he even ever played for Monaco, let alone his career history before that.

Advertisement

Fabinho has won it all at Liverpool in an iconic career, taking Jurgen Klopp's team to a new level since his 2018 signing.

Leaving Monaco for £39million, Fabinho joined out of nowhere in the wake of Liverpool's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, joining compatriot Alisson Becker to complete the revolution.

Advertisement

Picking up every trophy on offer followed in the preceding seasons, Fabinho's struggles in the current campaign were made to look all the more surprising.

It's hard for a defensive midfielder to stand out, but the 29-year-old's lack of form has shone an almost blinding light on just how important he has previously been.

Without a commanding shield ahead of them, Liverpool's defence has been exposed time and time again, while the centre of the pitch has completely lacked stability and any sort of platform to control a game.

That's again been noticeable with a return to form for the midfielder in the past two fixtures, leading to victories over Everton and Newcastle, without a goal conceded.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Magpies were a much bigger test than the relegation-threatened city rivals, but Real Madrid are an even scarier proposition when they rock up at Anfield for their last 16 tie.

Madrid very much have Liverpool's number in recent history, beating them in two finals, and breezing past in a 3-1 quarter-final win.

Fabinho's likely never had a tougher task than trying to stop Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro, but equally difficult would have been trying to compete with them for a place in Madrid's midfield.

Advertisement

That was the task the Brazilian had upon arriving in Europe for the first time, leaving Fluminense for Rio Ave in Portugal before almost instantly being sent on loan to Madrid.

Some star showings for Los Blancos' youth team followed, leading to a call-up against Malaga in May 2013.

And he couldn't have possibly picked a more action-packed game to take part in.

Advertisement

Raul Albiol had the hosts ahead at the Bernabeu after just two minutes, but former Manchester City man Roque Santa Cruz soon equalised.

That was far from the only Man City involvement in the match, though, when Cristiano Ronaldo was brought down in the penalty area in the 21st minute.

Sergio Sanchez saw red for the last man tackle, but awaiting Ronaldo in goal was Willy Caballero.

Advertisement

The former City and Chelsea shot-stopper guessed bottom right as Ronaldo went down the middle, but managed to keep his foot in place to deny the penalty.

It was a wonder stop, but soon to the Argentine's detriment as it quickly became clear the force of the shot had injured his left foot.

Falling to the ground, Caballero decided to play on, which proved to be a disastrous decision.

Advertisement

Again collapsing as it looked like a free-kick was about to be awarded, the referee gave Madrid the advantage, with Karim Benzema carrying the ball into the box, only to be tackled before a confused Caballero picked up the ball.

A pass back was awarded, and Ronaldo managed to find the net this time, blasting in from six yards.

Advertisement

Caballero still played on, though, and was again punished by Mesut Ozil before Malaga pulled one back through an Antunes stunner.

More goals followed through Modric and Benzema, before Martin Demichelis was dismissed. And with the game won, it was Fabinho time.

Advertisement

Coming on at right-back and wearing the No.33 shirt, the two-man advantage saw Fabinho pick out Angel Di Maria, and register as assist as the Argentine curled home.

Di Maria was quick to credit the debutant, but that would be all, with Fabinho on the bench for their next game against Osasuna, and never to be seen again.

Advertisement

That was until almost a decade later, when he returned to an empty Bernabeu with Liverpool during the COVID pandemic and came away with a 3-1 defeat.

Things were far more even in the 2022 final, but Fabinho was again downed by his old club yet again.

Now, with both Liverpool and the Brazilian showing glimpses of a return to form, it's Fabinho's time to shine, and maybe finally get one up on a club of near misses when his beloved team need him most.

Advertisement