REAL MADRID hosted Belgium Club BRUGGE in match that was important for the Spaniards to get a positive result. Above is the REAL MADRID starting XI (image) which would later suffered changes, some that will open up speculation & debate.
REAL MADRID started terribly with a Brugge opening goal in the 9th min in silly circumstances that again puts in doubt the Spanish defence & goalkeeper COURTOIS. It was a clear sign that things were not to go the way of the locals as they attacked to create chances but failed to convert. Real Madrid would pay the price for missing chances with the second Brugge goal in the 39th min. Again childish mistakes in defence, a stumbling goal that put in doubt once again COURTOIS. Tonight Keylor Navas was dearly missed & the home crowd voiced this opinion.
A shocker of a first half with Real Madrid looking at the "barrel of the elimination gun". A loss tonight would make it uphill for the rest of the qualifiers & extremely difficult to pass onto the next Rounds. Real danger moments.
Real Madrid Coach Zidane reacted by substituting COURTOIS for AREOLA & NACHO for MARCELO. The second half was to be "do or die" stuff to avoid possible future problems in Champions League. Real Madrid attacked & kept running into the Belgium team defensive wall. The frustration & anxiety was creeping into the Madrid game & the crowd was sensing that a disaster was about to come upon them.
However, Real reacted with a goal in the 55th min through a RAMOS header from a Benzema pass. Later Brugge defending solidly allowed their aggressiveness to take the better of them & their Captain VORMER saw double yellow cards & was sent off. From an associated free-kick CASEMIRO scored the second & draw for Real Madrid in the 85th min.
End & final result a draw, with Real Madrid on the edge of the abyss up till the 85th minute. A bad result for the Spanish Club but it could have been worst, a defend & zero points in the Group with a very dark Champions League future.
FINAL RESULT & GOALSCORERS:
Real Madrid 2 Brugge 2
0 - 1 (9') Dennis Bonaventure
0 - 2 (39') Dennis Bonaventure
1 - 2 (55') Sergio Ramos
2 - 2 (85') Casemiro
ATLETICO DE MADRID travelled to Moscow to play LOKOMOTIV for their Group match. Above is the starting XI team for Atletico (image).
Relatively controlled game by Atletico de Madrid taking the initiative early while Lokomotiv was comfortable defending & looking to counter-attack. Atletico created their chances, especially Diego Costa from a corner & Morata who had an opportunity. The first half ended 0 - 0
In the second half Atletico picked up a notch & scored in the 48th min through youngster FELIX JOAO. The momentum kept going for the Spaniards who scored their second through THOMAS in the 58th min.
Lokomotiv had a clear chance to score in the 73rd min with Krychowiak but Atletico goalkeeper OBLAK made a fabulous save.
Well deserved & important victory for Atletico de Madrid away.
FINAL RESULT:
LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW 0 ATLETICO DE MADRID 2
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