CONOR GALLAGHER had started just one game in almost two months before Wednesday’s Madrid derby.
He may have, brutally, ended on the wrong side of things, as Atletico Madrid always do against Real.
But the midfielder showed exactly why he must and will be a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s England plans ahead of his first squad announcement.
Gallagher’s standout 85 minutes in the thunderous Metropolitano is worthy of praise for far more than his record breaking goal.
The second leg opener, bagged after just 27 seconds, is the fastest Champions League goal ever scored by an Englishman.
That was a moment to cherish, but everything which came after was equally as important.
READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAM
All English eyes will have been on Jude Bellingham at the start, but Gallagher grabbed the spotlight and helped Atletico’s midfield frustrate the life out of his Three Lions teammate and the rest of the Real Madrid side.
While the two were on the pitch together, Gallagher was easily the more impressive.
What will have been even more encouraging for Tuchel, however, was how Bellingham grew in stature as everyone else faded and was the stand-out in extra time before burying a confident penalty.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men had plenty of joy down their right-hand side during the first leg, so Diego Simeone tasked Gallagher with blocking them.
He carried it out magnificently. With his usual feral energy Gallagher shut down Brazilian Rodrygo and made some fine challenges on Kylian Mbappe, including one which stooped a rare dangerous break.
It was just his second start in the last 11 games for Atletico, but Simeone clearly trusts him with the big ones. Wednesday night showed that Tuchel can too.
Gallagher’s previous start was against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and you would not bet against him being tasked with shutting down Lamine Yamal in La Liga this weekend.
Tuchel, who has been in touch with Gallagher and spoke with his former Chelsea player ahead of the first-leg, must harness his undervalued quality.
The German has options galore in the attacking areas.
But finding someone to do the dirty work is equally important as to whether you can fit Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in the same team.
Tuchel is in the England job for one reason – to win the World Cup. To do so will require shades of light and dark within his side.
The prowess of Bellingham and the other star names is a must, but at holders Argentina proved you need some dogs in there too.
There was just one start for England in the Euros, a nightmare against Slovenia which lasted just 45 minutes, but he looked a different player here.
Gallagher is learning from the best when it comes to doing anything and everything for the team and has fully bought into Simeone’s ways.
Even out on the left, not his favourite position, Gallagher gave everything and left the pitch to a standing ovation.
He would, it is true, rather have played terribly and been looking forward to a quarter-final with Arsenal.
But given the cruel nature of Real Madrid’s latest Champions League victory over their rivals, the England midfielder can take nothing but immense pride from his performance.
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