..::Football IV::..

Wolverine GTR

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    Young: I sit in the 'cool corner' of the Man Utd dressing room!


    Winger Ashley Young claims he sits in the “cool corner” of the Manchester United dressing room before matches.The 31-year-old says the space used to be occupied by just himself and Wayne Rooney but now two new squad members have decided to join them.

    And Young reckons “everybody” in the squad wants to be in the same corner for one key reason!
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Neymar will miss Clasico with three-match ban

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    Neymar's hopes of playing in the Clasico against Real Madrid are over after he received a three-match suspension for sarcastically applauding after his red card against Malaga on Sunday.The Barcelona forward was sent off at La Rosaleda for a second bookable offence, a punishment that carries an automatic sanction of one match.

    However, referee Gil Manzano reported Neymar after the match for ironically clapping the fourth official for the decision as he left the field. On Tuesday, the Spanish Football Federation's competition committee confirmed that, on top of the original ban, the player would miss an additional two games for dissent.

    "We must point out that clapping in itself is an act of contempt towards the referee, which was recognised by the club itself," the committee stated in its ruling, after Barcelona had argued the applause was not grounds for punishment - an interpretation that was not shared by the governing body."[Barcelona] did not present any proof, be it video or of any other kind, which supports their version of the events."

    Neymar will be on the sidelines for Saturday's clash at Camp Nou against Real Sociedad, and will also play no part in the following week's Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    The news is a heavy blow for Barcelona, who must win against Real Madrid to keep alive their hopes of coming back to retain La Liga. Barca currently trail Madrid by three points, with Zinedine Zidane's men holding an additional game in hand over their rivals.The final game of Neymar's suspension comes on April 26, when the Blaugrana host Osasuna.

    Barcelona will contest the decision before the appeals committee, which meets on Wednesday, on the same grounds that Neymar's sarcastic clapping did not constitute dissent and that the additional ban is therefore unjustified.In the meantime, the Brazilian will also have to tread carefully in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final.

    A yellow card for Neymar in Turin against Juventus would earn him another suspension, this time in the continental tournament, and rule him out of the crucial second leg at Camp Nou against the Serie A champions.

    Neymar has been vital to his team's efforts in keeping up the chase on Madrid this season, playing 26 of their 31 games so far.While Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez head the scoring charts, the Brazilian has weighed in with nine goals and 10 assists, making him second only to Suarez as a provider.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Falcao: Tough times in England made me a better player

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    Monaco striker Radamel Falcao believes he is a better player having failed to make an impact during his two seasons in the Premier League.

    The Colombia international flopped at both Manchester United and Chelsea, scoring only five goals across two years in England, but he has starred on his return to Monaco this season.

    Falcao's 25 goals in all competitions have helped to fire Leonardo Jardim's men to the top of the Ligue 1 table and the 31-year-old hailed his Premier League spell as an important time in his career."You learn from every experience, both good and bad," Falcao told CNN ahead of Monaco's Champions League quarter-final at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

    "My time in England gave me experiences which I've learned from and have made me better. I was always sure that when I had continuity in matches and minutes, my form would return to the level I was used to and the goals, as a matter of consequence, would come.

    "It was only a question of getting confidence back and feeling like an important part of the team. Every weekend playing matches and getting minutes - this is definitely what has made the difference."This club have always been behind me, supporting me. They know the qualities I have not just as a footballer, but as a person."

    Falcao has shaken off a hip injury to take his place in the Monaco squad against Dortmund and the striker is backing Jardim's men to come out on top after shocking Manchester City in the last round.

    "We're very excited for what's going on and what we're doing right now. We have a very strong rival in Dortmund, but I think it's a very level tie," Falcao added. "Our hope is to beat them and go on in the competition."I think that surely with the same conviction, work and concentration that this team has shown, we can still get better and better as a group. Hopefully that will be enough to beat Dortmund."

    Having turned down lucrative moves to the Chinese Super League, Falcao revealed he still has a number of targets to hit in his career, including playing in the World Cup for Colombia after missing the 2014 tournament with a serious knee injury.

    "I have some goals in that I'd like to achieve and I hope to achieve them," said Falcao. "In the future, you never know. Maybe the opportunity pops up to go play [in China] or in the US or go back to South America. They're situations that you analyse when they arise together with your family and you'll make the right decision.

    "It's a personal dream of mine to be able to play at the World Cup. To represent one's country for any footballer is the best. We all dream as kids of being able to one day put on the shirt for your country, to represent it and to hear the anthem.It's such a large number of emotions that I've had the opportunity to enjoy over many years in my career and I'd like to keep doing so, above all in the World Cup in Russia."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Juventus 3 Barcelona 0: Dybala makes claim to Messi's throne as Barca fold again

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    Lionel Messi was outshone by Paulo Dybala as his compatriot produced two sublime finishes to give Juventus a commanding 3-0 advantage over Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final.

    Dybala has been keen to play down talk of him being Messi's heir apparent for the Argentina national team, but twirling a wand of a left foot to fine effect on such occasions makes comparisons irresistible.

    Having completed a seemingly impossible comeback by overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round, Luis Enrique's side now arguably face a tougher task.

    It is scarcely credible to imagine Massimilino Allegri's streetwise Juventus defence, marshalled superbly by Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini – who scored the third 10 minutes after half-time – folding as the Ligue 1 champions did in the Camp Nou cauldron.Outgoing Barca boss Luis Enrique once again deployed the hybrid 3-4-3 he fielded to see off PSG but the result was a disorganised rabble that was picked apart by Serie A's dominant force.

    The visitors were relieved to see Gonzalo Higuain plant his second-minute header from Miralem Pjanic's s free-kick straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, although another Argentinian proved more clinical five minutes later.Jeremy Mathieu – a surprise selection on the left-hand side of defence – allowed Juan Cuadrado into the box and Dybala collected the pass to turn and finish on the angle with almost nonchalant cool.

    Barcelona were struggling for fluency but a moment of Messi magic almost helped them to level in the 21st minute.

    Messi slid a delightful pass through to disarm the Juventus defence and pick out Andres Iniesta's run but Gianluigi Buffon's reaction save to his left was magnificent and soon had added value.

    The visitors granted Dybala more room in the area than was wise and the 23-year-old crisply swept Mario Mandzukic's cut-back past Ter Stegen into the bottom-left corner, with Gerard Pique partially blocking his goalkeeper's view.

    Barca's woes were compounded when Messi thought he had reduced the deficit, only to be denied by offside after hustling Sami Khedira out of possession.

    Luis Suarez was off target with a couple of headers but Juventus almost had another before the break – Higuain's volley from the edge of the box bouncing awkwardly for Ter Stegen and Mathieu swiping the rebound behind.The Frenchman's most productive contribution was his last, as midfielder Andre Gomes came on at the break.

    Juventus centre-back Bonucci halted Neymar – hit with a three-game domestic ban in the build-up that will rule him out of the Clasico against Real Madrid later this month – with an impeccable slide tackle early in the second period and Messi side-footed the loose ball wide from the edge of the box as Pjanic snapped at his heels.

    Iniesta then clattered over as Barca appeared more at home in their tried and tested 4-3-3, though Ter Stegen held well down to his left as the space between midfield and attack remained for Cuadrado to exploit.Dybala was screaming for a pass to complete his hat-trick when Higuain sprung the offside trap to blast at the Barcelona goalkeeper in the 54th minute.

    A third Juventus goal suddenly felt on the cards and Chiellini obliged, outmuscling Javier Mascherano to guide Pjanic's left-wing corner in via the inside of the near post.

    As the fog of another debilitating defeat became thicker, Messi remained one of the few in red and blue to retain a clear head and his excellent 68th-minute pass deserved better than Suarez prodding wide.

    Chiellini flung himself towards Neymar and was fortunate to escape punishment when the Brazilian's shot spun up to his outstretched arm, while a late Barcelona rally amounted to nothing.

    After Saturday's shock 2-0 loss at Malaga left their LaLiga title defence in tatters, there was a worrying familiarity in Luis Enrique's side being outgunned by high-class opponents. This time, surely, there can be no way back.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Barcelona's Champions League away woes continue after Juve thrashing

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    Barcelona are finding things exceedingly difficult in away matches lately.Just a few days after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Malaga in La Liga, Barca extended their recent futility away from Camp Nou to the Champions League with a 3-0 loss at Juventus.

    Tuesday's rout was bad enough on its own, but when combined with a 4-0 loss to PSG in Paris back in February it means that Barca have conceded at least three goals in consecutive Champions League away games for the first time since October 2000.

    In addition, Tuesday's loss marked the first time the Blaugrana have lost consecutive Champions League away matches under Luis Enrique."There's no place like home" is a statement made famous in The Wizard of Oz, but lately it's become a reality of life for Barcelona, who also lost at Deportivo La Coruna last month.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Borussia Dortmund explosion: Bartra has surgery on wrist after bus incident

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    Marc Bartra has undergone surgery on a fractured wrist after being hurt in an explosion that targeted Borussia Dortmund's team coach ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against Monaco.

    Bartra was the only person hurt in the incident, with police detailing three explosions as the Dortmund bus left the hotel to travel to Signal Iduna Park.Dortmund confirmed the centre-back underwent surgery on a fractured wrist and to remove debris from his arm.

    The Bundesliga club tweeted: "Diagnosis of @MarcBartra: breakage and sprinklings of debris on the right wrist. He's currently in surgery. Good improvement, Marc!"

    Police director Michael Stein noted: "The status of the player Bartra changed in course of the evening from slightly injured to seriously injured."As a result of the attack on the Dortmund bus, the match was postponed, with UEFA announcing a planned rescheduling for 18:45 local time on Wednesday.

    Speaking at a news conference, public prosecutor Sandra Lucke confirmed that the incident was being treated as attempted murder.

    Lucke said: "The investigation is being carried out based on suspicion of attempted murder. A letter was found near the crime scene. We are checking its authenticity intensively.

    "We found someone taking responsibility for the attack in the letter. Due to the investigation, we cannot comment further on this."Another object that did not explode was found. Our current point of view is that it was a dummy."

    Former Barcelona defender Bartra most recently appeared for Spain in November 2016 and the country's football federation showed support for the 26-year-old in a statement.

    "The Royal Spanish Football Federation wants to show its total backing for the Spanish international footballer, Marc Bartra, after he was injured as a result of some explosions that affected the bus of his club, Borussia Dortmund," the governing body said in a statement."The RFEF wishes him a quick recovery and condemns any type of violence."

    Goalkeeper Roman Burki was alongside Bartra when the attack happened and he told Blick of how Dortmund's players ducked for cover following the first blast."I was sitting in the back row next to Marc Bartra, who was hit by fragments of the broken window," Burki said.

    "After the bang, we all ducked down on the bus and whoever could got on the floor. We didn't know what else was going to happen."The police were quickly on the spot and they handled the situation.

    Dortmund's chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke is confident the players will pull together ahead of the rescheduled tie with Monaco."The team and the coaches are of course in shock," Watzke told Sky. "We must now channel it in some way."It will not be easy to get it out of our mind. In such a crisis situation, all of Borussia Dortmund will pull together. I think the team will feel it tomorrow.""We're all shocked. Nobody thought about a football match in those minutes."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Dortmund bus blast treated as 'targeted attack' as police confirm letter found at crime scene

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    Police have found a letter claiming responsibility for what they are describing as a "targeted attack" on the Borussia Dortmund team bus.The vehicle was damaged as three explosions occurred while the coach was making its way from the team hotel in the Hochsten area of Dortmund to Signal Iduna Park for the Champions League quarter-final first leg with Monaco.

    Defender Marc Bartra was injured in the incident, with the club later confirming that he had been taken to hospital to have surgery on his wrist.

    Police were unable to specify what type of explosives were used but they described the devices as "serious", stating they believed they had been hidden under a hedge next to a car park.

    Speaking at a news conference, public prosecutor Sandra Lucke confirmed that the incident was being treated as attempted murder and gave assurances that additional security would be in place on Wednesday, with the match rescheduled for 18:45 local time.Police chief Gregor Lange said: "This evening, there were three explosions at 7:15 in the area surrounding the hotel in which BVB had been a guest.

    "We assume that it was a targeted attack on BVB's team. The services were tasked with securing the crime scene on a large scale."We decided at a very early stage not to rule anything out. At the present time, the concrete background for this act is not yet clear.

    "I would like to express thanks for the good co-operation with BVB. We're preparing for a large-scale operation tomorrow [Wednesday]. The protective measures for the teams have already begun. Bomb detection dogs are still in use."

    Lucke added: "The investigation is being carried out based on suspicion of attempted murder. A letter was found near the crime scene. We are checking its authenticity intensively.

    "We found someone taking responsibility for the attack in the letter. Due to the investigation, we cannot comment further on this."Another object that did not explode was found. Our current point of view is that it was a dummy."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    'Messi is Messi, I'm Paulo' - Dybala dismisses hero comparisons after downing Barca

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    Juventus forward Paulo Dybala does not want to be put in the same bracket as Lionel Messi despite downing the Barcelona icon and his illustrious team-mates.

    Dybala netted a brilliant first-half brace as the Serie A titleholders comprehensively beat Barca 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Juventus Stadium.

    Already viewed in some quarters as Messi's heir for the Argentina national team, Dybala's match-winning display brought forth further superlatives, with veteran Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saying he has the ability to be considered one of the three best players in the world.

    Nevertheless, Dybala was keen to stay in the moment after a dominant victory that will live long in the memory – provided Massimiliano Allegri's side avoid the type of improbable capitulation Paris Saint-Germain suffered in the previous round at Camp Nou.

    "Messi is Messi, the one who plays for Barca," he told TV3. "I'm Paulo, I'm happy but we know that it will not end here and that it will not be easy at Camp Nou."I try to enjoy these moments and not think about what's going to happen. I will do everything to get as far as possible."

    Dybala has also been touted as a possible transfer target for Barcelona, with club great Xavi describing him as a perfect fit for the Spanish champions.

    His clinical showing in Turin is likely to increase the clamour further but the 23-year-old explained he is close to agreeing a news deal with Juventus."I am very happy at Juventus," he added."My renewal is very close, people are very fond of me and I will give more joy to the fans."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Beating Barca the best result of my Juve career, says Allegri

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    Massimiliano Allegri said Juventus' 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday is his best result in three years at the club.

    A brilliant first-half Paulo Dybala brace put Juve in control in Turin, with a header from Giorgio Chiellini providing the third goal after the interval.Allegri's men are unbeaten in their last 18 continental home matches and the coach - who recently ended speculation linking him with Arsenal by signalling his intention to stay at Juve - hailed the performance of his side.

    "Juventus have respect for Europe and above all are respected in Europe," Allegri told Mediaset Premium. "That is the greatest result of my three years here."It was a great performance, we played well technically both in attack and defence. It is the first step towards the semi-final, but the second leg will be a different matter.

    "I cannot say what percentage our chances of progressing are. In Barcelona we are going to have aim to score goals."Despite Juventus putting themselves in a superb position ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou, perfectionist Allegri believes his side could still improve.

    "I am a dreamer, but also pragmatic and a realist," Allegri added. "We are in a growth process, I am happy with what the players are doing and we have made important steps forward in the last few years.

    "We had several chances in the first half, moving the ball around and forcing them to shift, but we got a bit too greedy for an extra pass. That's something we need to work on and improve for the second leg."Juventus deserve credit, as everyone contributed to the defence by cutting off the passing channels, otherwise when the ball is at the feet of [Lionel] Messi, [Andres] Iniesta or [Luis] Suarez, you're going to have trouble.

    "We were sharp, with good passing moves, but we could have done better and in some moments tried to make direct passes too often."
     

    Alucard_SxE

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    Bayern vs Real

    This'll be a very tough match for us. It seems like everyone is expecting for bayern to win. Some even with a great margin :dull:
    And to think that the same people were commenting that this real team was about to win the treble this season!

    Obviously the performance haven't been good in some matches. Specially against weak teams we've struggled while showing up in big games.

    I specially remember the copa 1st leg against sevilla which we won 3-0 at home & atletico away which we won again 3-0. Those were lovely to watch.
    Everyone of the team really contributed to the match ups and we killed the opponents through and through. But then players started getting injured one after the other, we kept on struggling against small teams in the lige and lost the copa against celta.

    However the morality of the team in better than ever. The reason is Zidane.
    He knows how to handleeach and every player and keeps his cool.
    One player perhaps he has left out would be james. :( I think h should be getting a little bit more game time. And if not, sadly he'll leave the bernabeu this season.

    Anyway people keep on underestimating us. Specially because our defence have been utter shit! :dull: Conceding one or two goals each and every match! Navas has been really poor after surgery. What the hell is he doing in some matches!!??!! I remember the group stage match against dortmund away he kept on punching the ball without catching it :dull::dull:
    And it cost us a goal.
    And he has been doing these mistakes over and over again. Right now I would pick casilla over him only from the performances I've seen. Navas should leave after the season IMO. He has lost his magic.
    BUT he performed really well against atletico. So we'll see :)

    Anyway Lewa is out for bayern but they'll ofcourse come thrashing down on us. And since pepe & varane both injured, nacho will feature with ramos.Nacho is good but not quick enough specially compared to Varane and not tough enough like Pepe.
    But it'll be again the most experienced squad out again with BBC at front,
    Kroos, Modric, Casemiro in the middle and Carvajal(doubtful) & marcelo in the wings.

    It just take one perfect set piece to get us in the match no matter the odds.And it'll happen today as well!

    Hala Madrid!! :love:
     

    Anushanga777

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  • Bayern vs Real

    This'll be a very tough match for us. It seems like everyone is expecting for bayern to win. Some even with a great margin :dull:
    And to think that the same people were commenting that this real team was about to win the treble this season!

    Obviously the performance haven't been good in some matches. Specially against weak teams we've struggled while showing up in big games.

    I specially remember the copa 1st leg against sevilla which we won 3-0 at home & atletico away which we won again 3-0. Those were lovely to watch.
    Everyone of the team really contributed to the match ups and we killed the opponents through and through. But then players started getting injured one after the other, we kept on struggling against small teams in the lige and lost the copa against celta.

    However the morality of the team in better than ever. The reason is Zidane.
    He knows how to handleeach and every player and keeps his cool.
    One player perhaps he has left out would be james. :( I think h should be getting a little bit more game time. And if not, sadly he'll leave the bernabeu this season.

    Anyway people keep on underestimating us. Specially because our defence have been utter shit! :dull: Conceding one or two goals each and every match! Navas has been really poor after surgery. What the hell is he doing in some matches!!??!! I remember the group stage match against dortmund away he kept on punching the ball without catching it :dull::dull:
    And it cost us a goal.
    And he has been doing these mistakes over and over again. Right now I would pick casilla over him only from the performances I've seen. Navas should leave after the season IMO. He has lost his magic.
    BUT he performed really well against atletico. So we'll see :)

    Anyway Lewa is out for bayern but they'll ofcourse come thrashing down on us. And since pepe & varane both injured, nacho will feature with ramos.Nacho is good but not quick enough specially compared to Varane and not tough enough like Pepe.
    But it'll be again the most experienced squad out again with BBC at front,
    Kroos, Modric, Casemiro in the middle and Carvajal(doubtful) & marcelo in the wings.

    It just take one perfect set piece to get us in the match no matter the odds.And it'll happen today as well!

    Hala Madrid!! :love:

    Hala madrid :love:
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Bayern Munich 1 Real Madrid 2: Ronaldo double gives Zidane's men the edge

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    A second-half double from Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 2-1 win for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena and a firm advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.

    The Portugal captain struck two minutes after the break to cancel out Arturo Vidal's bullet header before poking home a second to give the holders a strong result to take back to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return fixture.

    Bayern had been good value for their lead but Vidal's missed penalty allowed Madrid to get back into the match, before a red card for Javi Martinez left the Bundesliga leaders facing a battle to ensure they stayed in the tie.

    The first half belonged to the home side and Vidal in particular, the midfielder scoring with one emphatic header, missing a clear chance for a second and blazing a controversial spot-kick over the crossbar.

    Madrid responded through Ronaldo's first goal in the tournament since September 27 and Martinez's two quick-fire yellow cards gave them a foothold they never looked likely to relinquish, before Ronaldo's second 13 minutes from time sealed the win - his 100th goal in European competition.

    The tie is far from over for Carlo Ancelotti's side but the advantage rests with Zinedine Zidane, the man who won the competition as assistant to Ancelotti in 2014 before his triumph at the Madrid helm last year.

    Madrid came closest to breaking the deadlock in a balanced opening 20 minutes, Karim Benzema seeing a downward header clawed onto the underside of the crossbar and out by Manuel Neuer, back in the side after missing the last three matches with injury.

    Bayern, though without the injured Robert Lewandowski, turned up the attacking pressure and a succession of corners eventually paid dividends. Vidal raced through the crowded box to meet Thiago Alcantara's delivery and the Chile international powered a header high into the net, despite Keylor Navas getting hands to the ball.

    The home side sought to cement their control and Vidal spurned a great chance to make it 2-0, heading high and wide from 12 yards out after Arjen Robben got free of Toni Kroos by charging for the byline rather than cutting inside from the left.

    Vidal was then given the chance to cap a superb first half from the penalty spot but he blazed his effort over the crossbar, although Madrid will certainly feel that justice had been done after the assistant behind the goal had incorrectly ruled that Dani Carvajal had blocked a Franck Ribery effort with his arm.

    Zidane had to jog to reach the dugout in time for the second half after delivering a lengthy team talk, and he did not have to wait long to watch his side restore parity. Luka Modric found Carvajal in space down the right, and his cross was expertly swept into the bottom-left corner by Ronaldo, who was allowed to meet the ball unchallenged near the penalty spot.

    Bayern appeared not to learn their lesson and Neuer was forced into a superb one-handed save to keep out a header from Gareth Bale, who was allowed to latch onto Modric's driven cross from much the same position that Ronaldo had scored.

    With the away goal secured, Madrid looked content to hit Bayern on the counter-attack, and the tactical tweak brought them a further advantage as Martinez picked up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes for fouling Ronaldo as he looked to break into the hosts' half.

    Neuer was again required to keep the scores level, sticking out a leg to deny Benzema's prodded effort after Carvajal had fed the striker, before a strong right arm stopped a firm Ronaldo strike from 12 yards.

    But Ronaldo got the better of Germany's number one for the second time in the 77th minute, racing to meet Marco Asensio's curling cross from the left and prodding the ball through Neuer's legs and into the net.

    Madrid thought they had snatched a potentially vital third goal when Sergio Ramos steered in a header in the 90th minute, but the assistant referee spared Bayern after correctly spotting that the visiting captain was offside.