Madrid, Spain | AFP | Paris Saint-Germain face a huge task to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after Cristiano Ronaldo defied talk that his powers are waning with two goals as Real Madrid won 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie. Billed as a contest between World Player …
Read More »Barcelona humiliation can help PSG in Real Madrid clash – Emery
Madrid, Spain | AFP |Â Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery believes his side can benefit from the memory of last year’s stinging defeat to Barcelona when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. “Perhaps our preparation began with that match. We have not talked about it a …
Read More »Zidane fighting for future in PSG Champions League tie
Madrid, Spain | AFP |Â Zinedine Zidane inspired France to World Cup glory as a player, but his extraordinary career has to a large degree been defined by the Champions League. His magnificent volleyed goal for Real Madrid in their 2002 win over Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park in Glasgow is …
Read More »Ronaldo leads Real Madrid to Valencia victory
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo converted two penalties as Real Madrid battled to a 4-1 away win at Valencia in La Liga on Saturday, lifting the recent gloom over the defending Spanish and European champions. The result leaves Madrid 16 points behind top placed Barcelona on 54, Atletico …
Read More »Five conclusions from Barca’s El Clasico cruise
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Barcelona further tightened their vice-like grip on the La Liga title by sweeping aside eternal rivals Real Madrid 3-0 on Saturday to leave the European champions 14 points adrift down in fourth place. Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal were on target for the …
Read More »Five keys to Real Madrid v Barcelona
Madrid, Spain | AFP |Â Real Madrid realistically need to end Barcelona’s 24-match unbeaten run to maintain hopes of retaining their La Liga title when Spanish football’s two behemoths meet in El Clasico on Saturday (1200GMT). Barca lead fourth-placed Madrid by 11 points at the top of the table, albeit Real …
Read More »Ronaldo fitness worry ahead of Clasico
Madrid, Spain | AFP |Â Cristiano Ronaldo trained alone on Thursday ahead of Real Madrid’s clash against Barcelona this weekend, after sustaining a knock to his calf during the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. The Portugal star received rough treatment as he scored the winner in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory …
Read More »Politically divided Spain united by El Clasico rivalry
Madrid, Spain | AFP |Â Often symbolised as pitting the pride of Catalonia against Spain’s capital, the ‘El Clasico’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid is a match laced with political and social as much as sporting tension. Even more so this week when the sides face off in Madrid on Saturday …
Read More »Ronaldo retains Club World Cup for Real Madrid
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | AFP |Â Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half free-kick ensured Real Madrid picked up a fifth trophy of 2017 by beating Gremio 1-0 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to retain the Club World Cup. A third Club World Cup in four years brings Madrid level with rivals Barcelona …
Read More »Zidane struggling to shore up Madrid defence
Madrid, Spain | AFP | Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane admitted injuries will force him into patching up a makeshift defence for Saturday’s visit of Sevilla after Raphael Varane joined an increasing list of absentees. The French international limped off holding his left leg as Madrid edged out Borussia Dortmund …
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