Real Madrid hosted Turkish Club Galatasaray & won 3 - 0. This puts Real Madrid with a foot & half the other leg in the Champions League semi-finals barring a disaster in Istanbul next week with the 2º leg return game.
Very serious & concentrated effort by Real Madrid which dominated & counter-attacked in deadly fashion to slice up Galatasaray. It was clear the Madrid wished to leave things wrapped up here as the Turks will be more difficult at their home ground pushed on by their passionate & faithful fans.
Cristaino Ronaldo opened things in the 9th min with a brilliant chip goal over Galatasaray keeper Muslera. Karim Benzema then hooked onto a the ball in the goal square to grab the teams second in the 28th min.
To the Turks credit they looked & worked hard in order to attempt a valuable away goal. It did not come thanks to Real Madrid goalie Diego Lopez who was again serious tonight, to defender Varane who keeps opening mouths in astonishment with his class, Essien who was a rock & the rest of the team who were disciplined.
Galatasaray may argue some referee decisions tonight, especially one that originated a free - kick that Xabi Alonso took to find the head of Higuain ( on for Benzema ) to score the third in the 72nd min. This last basically sealed things tonight for Real Madrid & set the path.
Malaga FC hosted Germans Borussia Dortmund & held out for a 0 - 0 draw. Malaga continue making Club history & are fully alive in Champions League travelling next week to Germany for a "do or die" 2º leg clash.
The Germans controlled most of the game & perhaps deserved to leave with a prize, but Malaga held out the attacks & the pressure. Chances did appear for the Spaniards without success except for an Isco attempt in the 66 th min that may have changed everything had it been successful.
Borussia Dortmund continued pounding away but Malaga kept holding on to their "Champions League dream", this made the draw admirable knowing that the return leg will be difficult & a possible cliff-hanger. As many observers have already commented in the past, you need to suffer ( sometimes go to the edge ) in order to be able to taste glory in Champions. Malaga tonight learnt & felt the pain.
Borussia Dortmund continued pounding away but Malaga kept holding on to their "Champions League dream", this made the draw admirable knowing that the return leg will be difficult & a possible cliff-hanger. As many observers have already commented in the past, you need to suffer ( sometimes go to the edge ) in order to be able to taste glory in Champions. Malaga tonight learnt & felt the pain.
Overall & considering the other alternative outcomes Malaga should be happy as they are still "alive to fight another day".
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