REAL MADRID 4 CSKA MOSCOW 1 | REAL INTO THE CHAMPIONS QUARTER FINALS

REAL MADRID CF goes into next Fridays CHAMPIONS LEAGUE quarter-final draw after winning CSKA MOSCOW 4 - 1 ( 5- 2 aggregate) in the 2º leg match. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Russians initially set up their "standard" tight defence & awaited Real Madrid to practice their counter-attacking Football. It nearly paid off for them as they had two-three excellent chances to get ahead. However, Real Madrid kept at their touch game with quick break aways & Kaka with Ozil began managing things, these players along with Xabi Alonso. The equalizer came via HIGUAIN in the 26th min from a Khedira pass that found  Kaka who then found the Argentine in the small goal square. Then in the 35th min CRISTIANO RONALDO surprised everyone with an outside shot the the Moscow goalie fumbled, obviously surprised as well,  as the ball did a sudden change in direction & dropping to bounce suddenly violently.

Benzema scores for Real Madrid 

Control Football from Madrid in the 2º half with more chances arising until in the 69th min Higuain was substituted for BENZEMA who scored a minute later. A better comeback from injury impossible for the Frenchman.

This relaxed the Spanish side & the Russians lifted a gear to find a consolation goal in the 78th min via TOSIC that was a "beauty" beating Casillas. Real then passed a difficult period as the Russians looked for another & Coach Mourinho had to strengthened the midfield changing Ozil for Lass to secure things & lessen the obvious dangers.

The last goal that finally sealed things & calmed the "nerves" came in the 94th min when Benzema facing the goalie 1 on 1 decided to pass to CRISTIANO RONALDO who was better positioned. Unselfish & team play from the Frenchman that earned him points in front of the home crowd with applause.

In conclusion, a relatively "comfortable" game & victory for Real Madrid with two distinct periods where Moscow put things difficult & awkward. Now Madrid must  await to figure which will be the next rival in Q/Finals for Madrid : Barça, Bayern, Milan,....etc
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CSKA MOSCOW 1 - REAL MADRID 1 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AWAY RESULT

It was always going to be a diificult away game for SPANISH FOOTBALL Club REAL MADRID at Moscow. Sub-zero temperature, artificial grass surface & a "rocky" CSKA MOSCOW that was not going to be allowed to be pushed around on home turf. The final result of this away CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ( last 16 ) match ended in a 1 - 1 result that although good for Real Madrid, leaves a sour & bitter taste on how the Russians equalized in the last moment.

Pepe for Real Madrid

Uncomfortable is the best term to describe this game for Real Madrid. This, with irregular bounce & a slow running ball that did not encourage any fast play or any beautiful executions. This obviously favoured CSKA Moscow which is accustomed to these conditions & feel like a "fish in water" at home.

So awkward were the conditions that Real Madrid player KARIM BENZEMA suffered an injury in the 9th min after shooting at goal that is typical of cold nights with a bad bouncing ball. This gave Higuain his chance to play a "full" match, which is great for the Argentine, but without the first worry of the Karim injury to the Spanish side.

Stalemate most of the first half as the Russians were playing counter-attacking Football & Real Madrid was looking for a quick adaptation to the circumstances, which came with a defensive mistake from Moscow which allowed CRISTIANO RONALDO to fire home the opener in the 28th min. Must congratulate Higuain who seconds earlier had recovered a lost ball to set it all up. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

The second half was 95% Real Madrid & they failed some clear chances ( Ronaldo twice) to have sealed this tie. But in Football, the Iron Law of  "you will pay for your missed chances", hoovered & was present to manifest itself in the last moment when CSKA Moscow equalized in the 92 min. It was a "fix play" - free kick situation with all the Moscow players in the Real Madrid goal square looking for "THAT" opportunity, which came when WERNBLOOM found a loose ball from previous headers to ram home the goal.

A harsh blow for Real Madrid which had previously put in a very good performance & very serious defensive effort ( last 91 mins), to watch how Moscow exploited fully their only real chance in the 2º half. This & the niggling thought that once again a set piece allowed their virgin net ( at that stage ) to be violated.

Said this, well done to CSKA Moscow for their perseverance. However, after watching this match, I do not see CSKA Moscow at a level to eliminate Real Madrid at the "Santiago Bernabeu" Stadium. As said, this final result is not at all bad for the Spanish side, they have an advantage & was superior for 90% of the game.

P.s Hope not to eat my final words :O)
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2009 - 2010 QUARTER FINAL 1º LEG: CSKA MOSCOW 1 - SEVILLA FC 1. WATCH THE MARK GONZALEZ GOAL (VIDEO)

SEVILLA FC managed a valuable away goal in their 1-1 draw in
tonights 1º leg CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Quarter Final match
against CSKA MOSCOW. It was ALVARO NEGREDO that put the
ball into the back of the net in the 25th min from a great Jesus
Navas pass, just when Sevilla were demonstrating their best
Football.
(photo: Alvaro Negredo)














However, the Russian team was to equalize in a spectacular fashion
with a "screamer" from ex Betis player MARK GONZALEZ in the
65th min. Watch the VIDEO of the goal:



Now its back to Sevilla for the 2ºleg match to determine who
goes through to the semis. Tweet

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