News Archive

Champions League - day 1

Real Madrid started their campaign for an unprecedented fourth title in a row with a 3-0 win over Roma on Wednesday, Lopetegui’s side dominating throughout the first half before Isco curled in the opener from a direct free kick on the stroke of half time. Keylor Navas had a couple of saves to make after that, but Bale ran on to Modric’s through ball to score a second, and substitute Mariano celebrated his return to the squad with the third in time added on. Madrid of course are missing Cristiano Ronaldo this season, but he only lasted a quarter of the game between Valencia and his new club Juventus before being shown a red card for pulling Murillo’s hair in retaliation for a hard tackle. Even so however the Italian champions won 0-2, Pjanic converting two penalties either side of half time, and visiting keeper Szczesny saving a third penalty from Dani Parejo near the end. (19.09.18)

The Champions League is back, with all four Liga teams qualifying directly for the league stage this year. Barcelona started things off on Tuesday with a convincing 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, Messi opening the scoring on the half hour mark with a “house-special” free kick, and Dembélé running through from midfield to fire home an impressive second after the restart. Messi completed yet another hat-trick later on, and the only downside was a red card for Umtiti for a second bookable offence near the end. Later in the evening Atlético Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Monaco 1-2, Grandsir giving the French league side an early lead, but a strike from Diego Costa and a header from Giménez following Koke’s corner turning the scoreline around before the break. (18.09.18)