CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | REAL MADRID & AT MADRID

Champions League tonight with REAL MADRID & ATLETICO DE MADRID in Group matches. Here are brief summaries, along with goalscorers & the final results.

REAL MADRID hosted PARIS ST GERMAIN & although both teams have secured the pass to the next stage of Champions League, Real needed to win to keep alive their chance to take top spot of their Group. Above is the starting XI team for Real Madrid.

A great first 45 minutes from Real Madrid. The Spanish Club controlled the game, showed a high level of intensity that has not been seen for a long time in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Real played the ball at a very high speed and created plenty of goal opportunities of which PSG goalie Keylor Navas stopped literally a "goal bath". Tremendous Hazard, a genius Benzema and midfielder Valverde was everywhere.

Same tonic in the second half with Real Madrid dominanting. However, an injury to Hazard & the substitution of Valverde allowed PSG to get more ball control & find spaces. Neymar who came on at the start of the 2ºhalf bettered the PSG attack. When Real Madrid was 2-0 up a mix up between Varane & Real Madrid goalie Courtois allowed Mappe to score & towards the end with a more relaxed Real Madrid Paris St Germain sub Sarabia equalized two minutes later. Gareth Bale hit the post from a free-kick in the last minute.

Great game from Benzema, Hazard, Marcelo & Valverde for Real Madrid, while for PSG Navas was the goal savior & Mbappe was dangerous.

Final result

REAL MADRID 2 - PARIS ST GERMAIN 2 

Goalscorers:
1 - 0 (17') Benzema
2 - 0 (79') Benzema
2 - 1 (81') Mbappé
2 - 2 (83') Sarabia

ATLETICO DE MADRID travelled to Italy to play JUVENTUS FC. The objective was a win for the Spaniards in order to secure their pass into the next stage of Champions League without depending on fate or third parties.

Above is the Atletico starting XI team.

Juventus FC ended the first half 1 - 0 up in a very close & contested match thanks to a genius of Dybala, who was the best player in the first 45 min. 

Alvaro Morata had a golden chance towards the end, although it was off-side. There was also a great opportunity for Angel Correa who combined well with Joao Felix but opted for the center instead of the shot. Atletico de Madrid now must win Lokomotiv to secure their pass onto the next stage of Champions League. If Atletico does not, it will depend on what Leverkusen does against Juventus FC which has already the Top Group spot and has nothing to play except their pride. Atletico played a fair game, but faced a Juventus team which defended very well and took advantage of a genius of Dybala.

FINAL RESULT

JUVENTUS FC 1 - ATLETICO DE MADRID 0

Goalscorer:
1 - 0 Dybala 45m +  

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UEFA CLUB RANKING | REAL MADRID Nº 1

European Football governing body UEFA has today released their Club Ranking with Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID at the Nº 1 spot with 146.000 points followed by another Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona in 2nd place with 138.000 pts. The next placed Spanish Club is Atletico de Madrid in 4th spot with Sevilla Fc in 7th place.

New crowned UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool FC is at Nº11 with runners-up Tottemham at number 17. 

UEFA Club Ranking:

1. Real Madrid CF: 146.000 points.

2. FC Barcelona: 138.000.

3. Bayern: 128.000.

4. Atletico de Madrid: 127.000.

5. Juventus CF: 124.000.

6. Manchester City: 106.000.

7. Sevilla FC: 104.000.

8. PSG: 103.000.

9. Arsenal FC: 101.000.

10. Oporto: 93.000.
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11. Liverpool FC
17. Tottenham Hotspurs

Other Spanish Football Clubs:

22. Villarreal

34. Athletic Club Bilbao

39. Valencia CF

74. Real Betis

75. Real Sociedad

76. Celta de Vigo

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | FC BARCELONA WINS LA LIGA TITLE 2018-2019

FC BARCELONA has mathematically proclaimed themselves SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA CHAMPIONS season 2018 - 2019 after winning their match today 1 - 0 against Levante FC.

Earlier today second placed Atletico de Madrid had won their game 1 - 0 against Valladolid making it necessary for a must win game by Barça if they wished to celebrate tonight the Liga Championship. They did just that, thus securing FC BARCELONA´s 26th LIGA TITLE & their 8th in the last 11 years!

This is how (above chart) the LIGA Classification table looks tonight after the ROUND 35 games played, with another handful of games still to be played tomorrow. The focus now shifts on which Clubs can conquer the vital 4th Champions League position, along with the Europa League places. Plus there is still "do or die" games left for the remaining 3 Rounds with another handful of Clubs trying to avoid relegation.

FC BARCELONA secured the LIGA Championship Title tonight after they defeated LEVANTE 1 - 0. The winning goal came from LIONEL MESSI in the 62th min to clinch the 3 points for his Club & mathematically secure the Spanish Football League Championship.

Congratulations FC BARCELONA!

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | REAL MADRID | VALENCIA CF

UEFA Champions League continued tonight with the remaining Group games scheduled which included Real Madrid & Valencia CF in their respective clashes. Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final results.

REAL MADRID hosted CSKA MOSCOW with Top spot of the Group assured & playing for prestige & image. While The Russians came into the match looking for a must get victory to assure a chance to get the third place (if Viktoria Plzen did not win their match against AC Roma) to secure their pass to the Europa League.

Real Madrid put in a "B-side" line-up to rest some players & give the less used during the season a chance to show themselves. The starting 11 is illustrated in the above image. 

The first half was a summary of the Real Madrid season, match control, multiple goal occasions but losing by 2 goals at the end of the 45 mins. Strange as it sounds CSKA Moscow were super effective with their limited opportunities to score through CHALOV in the 37th min & SCHENNIKOV in the 43rd min. Real Madrid hit the post with an Asensio chance & Vinicius was on fire but some poor concentration & bad defending put all the hard work go down the "drain". 

The 2º half was a chance for Real Madrid to lift & show some character but again not effective in the goal scoring department. Real Madrid put onto the field Kroos to move the ball around & Gareth Bale up forward, but no positive result. Once again a limited Russian goal opportunity was converted into a 3rd goal by SIGURDSSON in the 73rd min. 

In conclusion, effective game plan by CSKA Moscow but unfortunate in destiny for in the other match Viktoria Plzen won 2 - 1 AC Roma thus leaving the Russian Club without European competitions the rest of this season. For Real Madrid a severe whistling off by home fans, some serious doubts with the attitude some big names & some concern that with the upcoming FIFA World Champions Club finals in Abu Dhabi Real Madrid will be vulnerable, especially to a more confident River Plate team who has just won the Libertadores Cup.

FINAL RESULT: REAL MADRID 0 - CSKA MOSCOW 3

VALENCIA CF hosted MANCHESTER UNITED with the latter having secured the 2º spot of the Group (but with a chance of Top spot if they win & Juventus lose) & Valencia the 3º place for Europa League. For both the match had image, reputation & prestige factors up for grabs along with giving some players time on the European Football stage. The Valencia CF starting 11 line up is as it appears in the above image. 

Good 1ºst half by Valencia CF which played good Football & dominated during substantial periods Manchester United. Their efforts & intensity was rewarded early with a 17th min goal by CARLOS SOLER. Manchester had their moments as well with the closet chance a Pogba goal opportunity that nearly gave Man Utd the equalizer.

Valencia CF got of to a flying start in the 2ºnd half with an own goal by Manchester United player JONES in the 48th min. While Valencia at this point were comfortable, that English Club began grinding back into the match & creating goal scoring opportunities. Man Utd was reward in the 87th min when RASHFORD scored. From here with 5 - 7 mins left, Manchester United went all out to find the equalizer, they nearly achieved it.

FINAL RESULT: VALENCIA CF 2 - MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Conclusion, Valencia CF through to the Europa League, while Manchester United finishes second in the Group.
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | FC BARCELONA | AT MADRID

UEFA Champions League was back this week with the last Group matches scheduled & before the Christmas Break. Two of the four Spanish Football representatives was up for show tonight with the following summary of events, goalscorers & final results.

FC BARCELONA hosted English Club TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS with the former having the Top spot of the Group secure & thus not playing for much except prestige. On the other hand Tottenham was battling with Italian Club Inter Milan for the prized 2º place & for them a tonight victory was vital ( or that Inter to lose their game to keep 2º place).

Under the "relaxed" circumstances for Barça Coach Valverde used the occasion to give less regular & younger players a run as you can see in the above image of the starting 11 side. 

The first half was entertaining with plenty of occasions for both teams. FC Barcelona managed to score first early after "maverick" Frenchman DEMBELE did his magia with a long spirit, dribble & great goal in the 11th min.  The first half end with Barça ahead by the only goal scored by the French forward.

The 2º half saw a more active & determined Tottenham Hotspurs which had one ear (via the radio) listening to what Inter Milan was doing & the other needing to score. However while Barcelona had opportunities - Coutinho hitting the post - FC Barcelona goalkeeper Cillessen was earning himself the "MVP" tag with some spectacular & match winning saves. However, just when one thought that Tottenham was "jinxed" a counter-attack from the mentioned post hitting Barça occasion lead to the equalizing goal by LUCAS MOURA in the 85th min.

With Inter Milan drawing 1 -1 in their game this result was enough for Tottemham to keep the second position of the Group & give them the ticket to the next phase of the Champions League. Thus both Barça & Tottenham "won" tonight.

FINAL RESULT : FC BARCELONA 1 - TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 1  

ATLETICO DE MADRID travelled away to play Belgian Club FC BRUGGE to attempt to secure the Top spot of their group which they were competing with German Club Borussia Dortmund. Thus a win for At. Madrid was a priority tonight for them & as you can see in the above image of the starting 11.  Coach Simeone went out with the available "big names".

The 1º half gave plenty of occasions to Atletico de Madrid that were not converted into goal. Two opportunities to note were those of Griezmann & Thomas that came close, while Brugge goalkeeper Horvath played his part. Atletico midfielder Saul deserves a mention for his Football & outstanding plays that contributed to At Madrid dominating & being the more dangerous but not scoring. The first 45 mins finished with both teams scoreless. 

The 2º half complicated things for Atletico de Madrid which could not find the way to score the needed goal. In fact FC Brugge got stronger as the anxiety levels increased for the Spanish team, added with the extra frustration of not being able to score to secure the Top spot of the Group. Atletico goalkeeper Oblak was forced to do some great saves to avoid the Belgian team from taking the match & victory.

FINAL RESULT: FC BRUGGE 0 - ATLETICO DE MADRID 0 

Atletico goes through to the next stage as second placed of their group behind Borussia Dortmund. Not good at all as Atletico could be matched in their next game against the likes of either Bayern, Man City, PSG or Juventus FC. 

Tomorrow more Champions League games with Real Madrid & Valencia FC scheduled for their Group games. 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | ATLETICO MADRID & FC BARCELONA WIN

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE continued tonight with the remaining two Spanish Football representatives up for their respective Group matches. Here is a brief summary of the main events, goalscorers & final scores.

ATLETICO DE MADRID hosted MONACO for their Group match which also have the extra news piece that ex-Atletico Falcao was back to face his old Club. Atletico de Madrid was looking for a victory in front of the home fans to secure their place without any doubt for the next phase of the competition & attempt to secure Top Group spot from Borussia Dortmund which are also contenders. 

Above in the image is the starting 11 team for Atletico, with some notable names still absent like Godin, Jimenez, Juan Fran & Diego Costa, all recovering from injury. Coach Simeone brought back Lemar & Correa.

The match could not have got off to a better start when a KOKE intervention (shot) was deflected by Badiashile in the 2º min for the opening goal. Atletico de Madrid took full control of the match & the second goal came in the 24th min when GRIEZMANN finished off an excellent assist from Correa

In the 2º half Monaco pulled from pride & lifted their level of Football. The team Coached by Thierry Henry managed to get a penalty in the 81st min when Atletico defender Savic handballed in the area. FALCAO took the responsibility to execute the penalty & missed.

FINAL RESULT: ATLETICO DE MADRID 2 - MONACO 0

FC BARCELONA travelled to Holland without Suarez, Rafinha & Sergi Roberto (injury) to play PSV EINDHOVEN with Messi recovered & back in Champions; along with the rest of the highlighted 10 team-mates in the above image. Barça´s motivation tonight was to win, of course, & secure firmly the top spot of their Group.

PSV started strongly & nearly scored early had not Barça German goalie Ter Stegen not intervened to halt the Dutch advances. The 1º st half turned out to be very competitive & even as both teams created multiple goal opportunities. The posts-cross bars were the main protagonists as they kept out the ball from the goal net for both sides.

The 2º half witnessed how the quality & experience of the FC Barcelona players pulled away from the early equilibrium with PSV to sway the match to their favour. Lionel Messi lead his team with his habitual outstanding play that inspired fellow teammates (Dembele, RaKitic, Coutinho, Pique...) to lift & finally find the prize. LIONEL MESSI scored in the 60th min & PIQUE managed the second for Barça in the 70th min.

However, PSV kept showing signs of danger during the 2º half that Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen had to neutralise & avoid the Dutch from scoring. PSV were finally rewarded for their persistence in the 82nd min when DE JONG pulled a goal back.  FC Barcelona lowered the pace of the match to achieve control & manage the final moments of the match preserving their favourable result & eventual victory.

PSV played well tonight & may have done better if the opportunities had been taken. Barça was great in attack but had defending difficulties that were "covered" up by the already known star names within their ranks.

FINAL RESULT: PSV 1 - FC BARCELONA 2

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | REAL MADRID WINS - VALENCIA CF LOSSES

UEFA Champions League week with two Spanish Football Clubs scheduled for Group games. Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final results.

REAL MADRID travelled to Italy to play AC ROMA for Group superiority. The result of the early match between the Groups other two teams (Moscow 1-Viktoria 2) had secured the passage into the next phase of the Champions League to both sides. However a victory for Real Madrid would secure top spot & at least shake off a series of bad performances in the domestic competition to wash their image. The final result a victory for REAL MADRID by two goals, a result somewhat deceiving as AC Roma missed some very clear goal opportunities which could have changed the final scoreline.

Real Madrid only began to find their Football in the second half after scoring the opener from a terrible Roma defensive mistake in the 47th min that BALE managed to take advantage & score from a Roma defender "assist". With Real Madrid lifted in confidence & Roma leaving spaces in midfield & in defence to look for the draw, a marvellous cross into the square found Benzema who headed the ball into the path of LUCAS VAZQUEZ who scored the team's second goal in the 59th min. From here onward ROMA created some more chances but as all night, missed very clear opportunities.
The news of the night in reference to Real Madrid, apart from their victory, was that ISCO was left out of the team for a 6th time in a row. Speculation is high that the Spanish International is out of favour with Coach Santiago Solari & that the doors have opened up for Isco to find another Club. Two names are sounding, Manchester City & Napoles.

FINAL RESULT: AC ROMA 0 - REAL MADRID 2

VALENCIA CF travelled to Turin (Italy) to face JUVENTUS FC in a must win match if they were to have any chance of advancing into the next stage of Champions League. The Spanish Club put in a brave performance during the first half but were grinded down from a more experience & quality Italian side that scored through MANDZUKIC in the 59th min after a grand Cristiano Ronaldo assist.

Valencia had a golden goal opportunity at the end of the 1ºst half when defender DIAKHABY headed towards goal but the Juventus goalie Szcezsny pulled off a superb save to keep out Valencia.

In the second half apart from the Juventus goal relatively early, the Italians did what they do best, defending & keeping control of the match while Valencia kept trying all they could under the circumstances. News had come through from the other Group match that Manchester United had scored against Young Boys & the English victory had shut the Champions League door on Valencia CF.

FINAL RESULT: JUVENTUS FC 1 - VALENCIA CF 0

Tomorrow Champions League action continues with the other two Spanish Football Club representative, Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona, down for their Group matches.

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VALENCIA CF & REAL MADRID CF WIN | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA Champions League continued tonight with the last remaining two Spanish Football representatives scheduled for their Group matches. Here are a brief summary of the main events, the goalscorers & the final results.

VALENCIA CF hosted YOUNG BOYS in a must win situation if they were to keep alive any chance of passing onto the next phase of Champions League in this very complicated & difficult Group. Above is the list of the starting 11 line-ups for both sides (see image)

Valencia CF suffered the first 45 mins but the two goals from SANTI MINA in the 14th & 42nd min gave the locals the goal advantage, even though Young Boys through ASSALE drew in the 37th min with his goal.

Valencia CF continued with their offensive style in the 2º half & managed to open an important gap in the result when CARLOS SOLER scored in the 56th min. Young Boys had to open up & find goal scoring opportunities but were frustrated in their attempts by a more organized & determined Valencia CF. The visitors suffered a serious set back in the 77th min when Sanogo for Young Boys was sent off with a red card leaving the visitors with 10 men. This made it difficult for Young Boys to attempt to crawl back the result & opened the road for an important & vital Valencia CF victory.

FINAL RESULT: Valencia CF 3 - Young Boys 1

REAL MADRID travelled to VIKTORIA PLZEN with new Coach Solari & here too a must win situation to lift teamS confidence & not complicate the Clubs ambitions of passing onto the next stage. Coach Solari surprised leaving regular Champions League goalkeeper Keylor Navas on the bench, along with Asensi & Modric. You can see the full starting line-up above (see image)

Real Madrid started nervous but gradually lifted to find their Football & dominate to end the first half with a 0 - 4 result. The goals came in rapid succession with BENZEMA scoring a beauty in the 20th min, CASEMIRO from a corner with a header in the 23rd min, BENZEMA again in the 37th min & BALE in the 40th min to put things in line towards victory. 

With a firm 4 goal advantage Real Madrid made some changes early through the second half: Javier Sanchez (for Sergio Ramos), Vinicius (for Benzema) & Isco (for Toni Kroos). To the credit of Viktoria Plzen they attempted to keep attacking & at least get some goals back from pride & for the home fans. They nearly managed to get their prize as some good goal chance were created. However, just before being substituted, TONI KROOS best player on the night, scored a wonderful 67th min chipped fifth goal from a Vinicius pass that took the wind out of the Plzen sails. From here till the end Real Madrid controlled things & even have a goal disallowed from Lucas Vazquez in the last minute. Good & needed victory for the Spanish Club.

FINAL RESULT: Viktoria Plzen 0 - Real Madrid CF 5 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | FC BARCELONA DRAWS | ATLETICO DE MADRID WINS

UEFA Champions League this mid-week with two of the four Spanish Football Clubs down for their scheduled Group matches. Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final results.

FC BARCELONA travelled to Milan to play away INTER MILAN & attempt to secure further the top Group spot & ensure their pass into the next phase of the European competition. Lionel Messi was discarded for this game as he still carries an elbow injury. Above is the Barça starting 11 line-up & below a picture of the starting team. 

The first 45 mins was clearly dominated by FC Barcelona but the team was not able to get ahead with any goal. Barça created many goal opportunities with Luis Suarez having three clear chances, but failed to get the ball into the Inter goal net. Other FC Barcelona players with great goal occasions was Dembele, Alba & Rakitic during the first half of the clash.

The second half was more of the same with Barça creating many goal opportunities but not being able to convert, Luis Suarez had a goal disallowed, & it wasn't until Barça brought on sub. MALCOM that the Brazilian put Barcelona ahead in the 82nd min. But Inter Milan took advantage of a relaxed FC Barcelona & pressured until eventually getting a surprise goal & the draw in the 87th min when ICARDI scored.

FINAL RESULT a 1 - 1 draw that secures Barcelona a passage into the next stage of the Champions League competition.

ATLETICO DE MADRID hosted German Club BORUSSIA DORTMUND & was looking to find "revenge" from the 4 - 0 defeat at Dortmund in their last game. A victory was the main objective of the Spanish Football Club in order to keep open the possibility of regaining Top spot in the Group & not to get into a complicated situation by losing tonight.

At Madrid went into this game with key regular players out due to injury (Godin, Diego Costa, Savic, Lemar etc). Above is the list of the starting 11 player names (see image)

The German Club started strong in the initial stages of the match but Atletico de Madrid went into the dressing team with a 1 - 0 goal advantage after SAUL scored in the 33rd min. The Spanish Football Club could have scored more goals had the post not stopped a Tomas attempt & Dortmund goalie Burki not saved occasions from Atletico especial Saul towards the end of the first half. 

In the 2º half Atletico de Madrid continued their good play & were solid in defense neutralizing Borussia in the little occasions they created at goal. Atletico continued in their offensive strategy & GRIEZMANN scored the second goal in the 80th min. 

FINAL RESULT a 2 - 0 win for Atletico de Madrid over Borussia Dortmund, taking "revenge" & putting themselves back on course for a passage into the next phase of Champions League.

Tomorrow more Champions League action with Real Madrid & Valencia CF down for Group matches.

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FC BARCELONA 5 REAL MADRID 1 | FLORENTINO PEREZ SHOULD BE SACKED BUT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN

Spanish Football celebrated its "showroom match", "El Clasico", for season 2018 - 2019 between FC BARCELONA & REAL MADRID CF. The final result is a crushing 5 - 1 victory to FC Barcelona which is likely to have serious repercussion within the lossing Club with the almost certain sacking of Real Madrid Coach Julen Lopetegui. 

Let's get out of the way the technical details of the game with the following info:

Starting lineups & goalscorers:

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur (Arturo Vidal, 83’); Rafinha (Semedo, 67’), Luis Suárez, Coutinho (Dembélé, 73’)

Real Madrid CF: Courtois; Nacho, Varane (Lucas Vázquez, 46’), Ramos, Marcelo (Mariano, 81’); Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Bale (Marco Asensio, 77’), Benzema, Isco

Goals: 1-0, Coutinho (10’); 2-0, Luis Suárez, pen. (30’); 2-1, Marcelo (49’); 3-1, Luis Suarez (75’); 4-1, Suárez (80’), 5-1, Arturo Vidal (86’)


Man of the match Luis Suarez with a HAT-TRICK

Now to the tic tacs. Barça was supreme this afternoon which dominated the match except the 25 minutes of the 2º half where Real Madrid showed heroics & could have equalized had a shot from Modric not hit the post when the match was 2 - 1. However, that was all from Real Madrid & Barça regained control.

Real Madrid was overrun in the 1º st half by Barcelona, exploiting a a non-specialist wing defender like Nacho, & the lack of fire power up front by Real Madrid. LUIS SUAREZ was inspired this afternoon with three goals accompanied by a grand Arthur, Coutinho, Alba & company.

Real Madrid has problems, serious problems, dragged from the last weeks:

• Sergio Ramos is out of form & slow. In any other team his position would be taken over by someone else, should not be playing, 
• Varane is just as bad as Ramos not in his greatest moment,
• Marcelo attacks & scores but does not defend, again slow & leaves spaces, 
• Defensively, bad, tactically worst,
• Modric is nothing like the World Cup Modric, 
• Kroos is out of form, does not recover to defend, 
• Isco is not as "good" as he thinks, dribbles too much & halts team progression,
• Vinicius cost 45 M€ & has not appeared all season, Lopetegui is to blame here, 
• Gareth Bale has not taken the responsibility for his level, should be sold, 
• Real Madrid HAS NO Center Forward, no natural goalscorer.

I could add more, but this is enough for now. 

Real Madrid will most likely now sack their Coach Lopetegui, but is he the blame? NO, the responsibility of this disastrous situation is Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, if anyone he should resign, but this will not happen.

Florentino Perez sold Cristiano Ronaldo - who guaranteed 50 goals per season - without finding a substitute. Added to this he refused to sign in the transfer market a true goal area killer, & signed a band-aid solution in Mariano from Lyon, who quite frankly should never have been signed. 

The main Real Madrid problem is that it has no goalscorer & if a team cannot score then you have a problem & cannot win. Coach Lopetegui has played his part not being able to manage optimally the dressing room egos & placing on the field those who are out of form, plus the pressure has overtaken the man. This is natural, not given the right instruments to work with leads to things get difficult, extremely difficult & nerves set in. 

So what next; the sacking of Lopetegui, perhaps Real Madrid B Coach Solari as caretaker Coach while Real Madrid secures Antonio Conte, or even Mourinho. In the upcoming Winter Transfer Market Real Madrid will go into the transfer market & attempt to find a goalscorer, a real goalscorer, which will cost a fortune. All thanks to the "brilliant" Club management skills of the Real Madrid President Florentino Perez & his directive team, the true person responsible for the current Club situation.

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FC BARCELONA WINS | AT MADRID LOSES | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA Champions League continued tonight with the two remaining Spanish Football representatives scheduled for their respective Group matches. Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final results

FC BARCELONA hosted INTER MILAN without their star Lionel Messi sidelined with an elbow bone fracture. The talk was how would Barça react & if Inter could take advantage of the situation. The final result was a 2 - 0 victory to FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona started with the above 11 players a bit slow as Inter Milan took the initiative from the start. They had Barça on the back foot creating goal chances which were not converted, especially an occasion by Icardi that should have been in the net.

You can't fail against Barça which began shortly after to find their Football. It was not long after that Rafinha put them ahead in the 22 min & the team began firing. Coutinho who took the role of Messi was outstanding along with the whole team.

One can say that perhaps FC Barcelona put in tonight one of the best performances this season & that was without Messi. Barça defender Jordi Alba scored the second goal in the 82 min to shut the match, secure the victory with 3 points & take top spot in their Group.

Great exhibition by Barça tonight, they are looking good coming up to next Sunday´s "Classico" against Real Madrid in LaLiga Spanish competition.

Goalscorers:

Rafinha 22 min 1 - 0
Jordi Alba 82 min 2 - 0

ATLETICO DE MADRID travelled to Germany to play BORUSSIA DORTMUND both unbeaten in their Group up to this point. The final result 2 - 0 victory to Borussia Dortmund. 

Atletico de Madrid started with the above 11 & began well, however the Germans began to grow in confidence taking the initiative with speed counter-attacks. It was not long before Dortmund got ahead in the 33 rd min when a Witsel shot deflected pass Atletico goalie Oblak.

Marcos Reus was doing some damage as a "false center forward" fooling the Spanish central defender & opening up spaces for his team-mates to exploit.

Atletico de Madrid went into the second half strong & more determined putting in muscle in the midfield through Rodrig & speed up front with Correa. The opportunities arrived & SAUL hit the bar to nearly equalize.

Once again Borussia won back the initiative & in a deeply counter-attack Guerreiro scored the second goal to give Dortmund a safety cushion & practically seal the result. To the merit of Atletico they continued to find a way to attempt to reverse things & created goal opportunities, one by Griezmann that nearly went in. But the home side held their ground & advantage continuing with their momentum to score a third goal through Sancho & a fourth through Guerreiro sealing the win to take the 3 points & also top spot of their Group. Atletico de Madrid towards the final minutes was sunk & knocked out of the match.

Borussia Dortmund were worthy winners. 

Goalscorers:
Witsel 38 min 1 - 0
Guerreiro 73 min 2 - 0
Sancho 83 min 3 - 0
Guerreiro 89 min 4 - 0 

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