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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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | At MADRID | REAL MADRID

UEFA Champions League Groups action tonight with ATLETICO DE MADRID at home hosting BAYERN LEVERKUSEN & REAL MADRID away facing Turkish Club GALATASARAY. Here is a brief summary of the main events, goalscorers & the final results.

Above is the starting XI for Atletico de Madrid, a team without Felix Joao who was injured this weekend thus opening a space up for Herreria,  & Angel Correa getting a start.

The first 45 minutes were somewhat bland with nothing really outstanding. Atletico de Madrid began trying to put on the turbo but fizzled out after a number of goal occasions. From there both followed their plans until they reached the half whistle. Lack of imagination on both teams.

With things looked the same as the 1º half Atletico needed to move things if they were to shake off the rocky German team. Coach Simeone put on Alvaro Morata & it paid off. In the 78th min LODI crossed & found his teammate MORATA who headed in the eventual winning goal. 

An important & very worked victory for Atletico de Madrid.

FINAL RESULT: ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 - BAYERN LEVERKUSEN 0

GALATASARAY hosted REAL MADRID which put forward the above starting XI. Midfielder Valverde & young Brazilian Rodrygo got a start, both played well.

It was a must win situation for Real Madrid, while a black cloud was also hovering the head of Coach Zidane. The Spanish Club started well but quickly fell into old habits allowing spaces in defense & opportunities for the Turks. Real Madrid goalie COURTOIS made two (three) very important saves to keep his team alive. However, Real Madrid reacted in the 18th min when HAZARD found TONI KROOS who shot through the ball with deflection into the net. 

From here until the end of the game Real Madrid looked to seal things with a second goal that did not come. They tried, 22 attempts at goal & hit a cross bar from Hazard, this basically summed up the Real Madrid night. Not being able to shut things allowed Galatasaray to attempt the draw & they had their occasions to do just this while Real Madrid was at times risking.

In the end a vital victory away, a sigh of relief for Zidane & more breathing space for Real Madrid to fine tune their goal opportunities & their overall game.

FINAL RESULT: GALATASARAY 0 REAL MADRID 1

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID - AT MADRID RESULTS

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE tonight with REAL MADRID CF playing at home & ATLETICO DE MADRID located in Moscow (Russia) for their Group matches. Here is a brief summary of the main events at both games, along with goalscorers & the final results.

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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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS | REAL MADRID - AT MADRID

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE continued tonight with the remaining Group matches. Two Spanish Clubs were down for action, REAL MADRID & ATLETICO DE MADRID. Here is a brief summary of the main events along with the goalscorers & the final results.

REAL MADRID travelled to France to play PARIS ST GERMAIN with the following starting XI for the visitors (see image):

Real Madrid CF ended the first half with two goals down thanks to PSG midfielder Angel Di Maria. DI MARIA was inspired in the goal area and his opportunities went into the back of the net. The two goals in the 14th min & 33rd min come out of his left boot. Real Madrid did have their occasions especially through their Best player JAMES who came close a couple of times. Also a GARETH BALE Goal in the 36th min was disallowed after the VAR called it a hand-ball. 

An uphill position after 45 mins for Real Madrid, & that is with PSG without Mbappe, Neymar & Cavani.

The second half was not better for Real Madrid as Paris St Germain continued to create the goal opportunities. The Spanish Club looked slow, predictable & impotent against a French team that was more determined & looked as if they had ideas.

Real Madrid Coach Zidane brought on Vazquez, Dovic & Vinicius in an attempt to shake things & pull some goals back, but nothing, ineffective. The fact is that PSG managed to score their 3rd goal through MEUNIER in the 91 st min.

Lastly, disappointing the performance of Gareth Bale who intervened little, but so did many of his team-mates.

Great win for Paris St Germain.

FINAL RESULT: PARIS ST GERMAIN 3 REAL MADRID 0

ATLETICO DE MADRID hosted JUVENTUS FC in their Group D match. Above is the Atletico de Madrid starting XI team.

Atletico de Madrid & Juventus put forward an attractive, open and end to end first 45 mins. At Madrid had more ball dominance in the rival area. Atletico midfielder Joao Felix had clear chances along with defender Gimenez who pardoned a corner opportunity. All the Juventus attacks passed through Cristiano Ronaldo who created chances but was solidly meet by Atleti goalie OblaK. Great first half with the only thing missing a Goal.

The second half was as entertaining as the first 45 min. This time around the Italians took control & scored two goals straight through CUADRADO in the 48th min & MATUIDI in the 65th min. Just when it looked like the night would turn into a disaster for Atletico de Madrid the team reached deep & pulled out their fighting spirit. Atletico defender SAVIC scored in the 70th min & HERRERA scored the equalizer in the 90th min to blow the roof off the stadium. 

Share points & just result. 

FINAL RESULT: ATLETICO DE MADRID 2 JUVENTUS FC 2

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REAL MADRID 1 AJAX AMSTERDAM 4 (3-5 AGG)| CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT

REAL MADRID CF took its 1º leg Champions League 1-2 advantage back to their home Stadium "Santiago Bernabeu" to play tonight the 2º leg away game against AJAX OF AMSTERDAM. The end result was a horror night for the Spanish Club which was overrun from the beginning to finally lose the game 1 - 4 & be eliminated from the UEFA Champions League 3 - 5 on aggregate. 

Above is the starting 11 of the Real Madrid team.

Above is the starting 11 of the Ajax team.

AJAX OF AMSTERDAM had a very clear game plan, exploit their pace with very accurate & efficient counter-attacks. The Dutch would allow the Spanish team to play in their area & with every mistake, missed goal chance or error pounce with deadly surgical precision with overwhelming men in the Real Madrid goal area. Simple. So basic that this strategy was utilized the whole match with Real Madrid not being able to halt the Dutch or find an antidote.

Finding a solution from REAL MADRID would always be difficult if the team is down psychologically for a string off important local League defeats, NOT ABLE to score goals & two injuries to Lucas vazquez & Vinicius JR in the first 30 minutes of play. This is not an excuse, it just highlights that tonight was going to be a nightmare, the worst dream possible for Real Madrid. 

Real Madrid missed goals, hit the post a couple of times & within their growing frustration came the silly mistakes. A terrible TONI KROOS back passed lead to the first goal of Ajax which ZIYECH scored in the 7th min, a deep & fast counter in the 18th min allowed NERES to score the second, this shook Real Madrid. 

The nerves took over, the frustration set in & the local supporters turned on their team in disbelief. However, Ajax kept to their game plan while Real Madrid failed to react or counter their hosts. Forced to attack Madrid had to look for goals, REAL MADRID in doing so "allowed AJAX" to exercise more often the counter-attack, & this is what happened.

Real Madrid started strong in the 2º half but once again without goal effectiveness, the opportunities were created but no one to score the goals. Reality finally made it clear, if you exit a player that gives you 40-50 goals (+10 in Champions) like Cristiano Ronaldo per season, you need to replace that asset with someone similar or spread the goal scoring across players. Its mathematics. Luck finally ran out tonight.

Ajax quickly regained the situation & continued with their work. The third goal came in the 62nd min from TADIC after a long consultation with VAR over a possible over the sideline ball beforehand. At this stage Real Madrid was rattled, but managed to get a glimpse of hope when finally ASENSIO managed to pull one back for Real in the 70th min. But, this was a horror movie for the locals tonight & from a free-kick SCHONE surprised goalie COURTOIS to score the 4th goal in the 72nd min, secure the victory & passage for Ajax into the next stage of the Champions League.

Things got absurd & surreal when Benzema slipped in front of goal to miss a sitter & GARETH BALE injured his ankle towards the end. Not only had REAL MADRID lost tonight, they get eliminated from Champions League & lost 3 key players to injury: Vazquez, Vinicius & Bale. But the terror week was more definitive: in 7 days, just in a week, Real Madrid has been eliminated from the Spanish Cup, lost twice at home to FC Barcelona (with loss of options in the race of La Liga title) & eliminated from Champions League. Basically their season has ended tonight. Ironic, tragic & perhaps bad luck, but the poor planning of pre-season & the unavailability of signing a competent center forward has hit hard.

For Ajax, a great night & excellent historic display & victory. They deserved to move forward into Champions League to keep their chances alive. Young, fast & dedicated players that showed great maturity & calmness. Well done.

Real Madrid? Well, avalanche of criticisms forthcoming, players will be signalled out, Coach Solari can say goodbye to his Coaching position next season... a revolution is in the horizon. Will be interesting to see how things develop & who gets the boot. Stay tuned!  

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REAL MADRID 0 FC BARCELONA 3 (1 - 4 AGG) | SPANISH CUP SEMI RESULT

The return leg of the SPANISH CUP (COPA DEL REY) semi-final between REAL MADRID CF and FC BARCELONA. The 1ºst leg ended in a 1 - 1 result & the tie was wide open for both teams. Here is a summary of the main events, goalscorers & the final result. 

REAL MADRID started with the above 11 team, with the news beginning the start of Reguilon & Bale left on the bench.  

FC BARCELONA started with the above starting 11 with the news being Sergi Roberto in the midfield.

REAL MADRID played better, but were punished & very severely by the Football axiom: "If you don't take your chances you will end up losing". This is what exactly occured. While The 1º st half was very even & tactical it was Real Madrid which was creating the goal occasions. However, Real Madrid, especially Vinicius Jr failed to define & finish off his (& teams) great work with goals. Too many misses which could have shut the match & given the tie in their favour early. 

However, in the 2º half FC Barcelona suffered but allowed Real Madrid to move up forward & basically knocked them out with counter-attacks exploiting the open spaces left while looking for goal. 

FC BARCELONA attacked three times & scored three times, the exact opposite from Real Madrid which created up to 10 goal chances & did not convert at all. The first goal came from LUIS SUAREZ in the 50th min from a Dembele pass. Here is an interesting story, the French winger was basically ineffective up till this point, Dembele was to be important again in the 2º goal when he passed into LUIS SUAREZ & the ball deflected off Real Madrid defender VARANE into the net in the 68th min.

A knockout blow for Real Madrid that had them reeling, so much so that while they were lifting off the "canvas" another counter-attack turned into a penalty as Casemiro fouled LUIS SUAREZ. The Uruguayan took the penalty & scored the 3ºr goal for Barça in the 73rd min & shut the door, assured the victory & their pass onto another Spanish Cup Final.

FINAL RESULT - REAL MADRID 0 FC BARCELONA 3 (1 - 4 on aggregate)

Some final observations:

• Real Madrid lost because they could not converted their numerous occasions, 
• Vinicius Jr while dangerous & talented needs to "fine tune" his finishes. He missestoo many chances & has no left foot,
• Real Madrid young defender REGUILON was the best on the field, MVP, & is a consecrated revelation. Real Madrid has a substitute for Marcelo & a future Spanish International. Outstanding.
• FC Barcelona was effective, efficient & utilized the law of "minimum effort for maximum results".  

Next Saturday we have another "Clasico" - Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona - this time as part of the LA LIGA fixture. I believe Barcelona has a psychological dominance over Real Madrid & would dare predict that Barça will win again on Saturday. If Barça does win the LIGA title will be virtually assured for them as they would have eliminated Real Madrid from the race only having Atletico de Madrid chasing.

Tomorrow the other Spanish Cup semi tie between REAL BETIS - VALENCIA CF currently 2 - 2 on aggregate. 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | AJAX 1 REAL MADRID 2

UEFA Champions League was back tonight after its "in between phase" break with the last 16 teams knock out home & away stage now in motion. Three Spanish Football Clubs are still in the action & while FC Barcelona & Atletico de Madrid play next week, tonight it was REAL MADRID CF which travelled to Holland to play AJAX OF AMSTERDAM. The Final result was a 1 - 2 victory for Real Madrid which still has to be fully secured back in Madrid in the second leg game against Ajax. 

Here are the starting line-ups for both Teams:

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Reguilon; Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric; Vinicius, Gareth Bale & Karim Benzema.

AJAX: Onana; Tagliafico, Blind, De Ligt, Mazraoui; De Jong, Van de Beek, Ziyech; Neres, Schone & Tadic.

The final result and 1 - 2 victory for Madrid was not the real picture of reality for this game. Ajax of Amsterdam played much better most of the encounter taking the initiative & attacking in waves. The Dutch Club created many occasions & forced Real Madrid on the back foot most of the night, especially the first 50-60 mins of the match.

The Ajax midfielders neutralized Benzema, Bale & Kroos not allowing the Spanish playmakers space to move the ball around & forced them to commit many errors. The Dutch exploited the left wing giving Carvajal a busy night of defending & also forcing mistakes to later create opportunities.

Ajax hit the post in the 25th min when Tadic had his chance, & a 38th min "goal" through a Tagliafico header was disallowed when the "VAR" sentenced that an Ajax player obstructed Real Madrid goalie Courtois in attempting to get to the ball. Controversial & will be part of the ongoing post-match debates.

Real Madrid was very quiet upfront with only a very good Vinicius opportunity appearing which was well saved by Ajax goalie Onana. 

Real Madrid has (& had tonight) the "luck of the Champions" & fully capitalised on their little goal opportunities to score both goals. The first was a wonderful play by Vinicius coming in from his wing & dragging up to 4 Ajax defenders to find BENZEMA who scored in the 60th min. 

Ajax kept with their game plan & regained control of the game with excellent midfield work & attacking Football. It was not long that they were rightly rewarded for their efforts when ZIYECH scored the equalizer in the 75th min. Seemed some justice was being done.

However, Real Madrid put on Asensio to give the forward line fresh legs & he was quickly announcing with great opportunities what was to come. In a quick counter attack Carvajal made a run down his wing & made a precision pass to find ASENSIO who knocked in the winning goal in the 86th min. This summed up Real Madrid´s night, 3-4 opportunities & 2 goals! Ajax will be disappointed as they deserved at least a draw, however the experience of the Real Madrid players shone through in this game.

Summarizing, Ajax midfielder De Jong looks like a real fine Football player & FC Barcelona will have a great asset in coming years. Sergio Ramos was solid tonight but will miss the next Champions League match in Madrid due to yellow card accumulation. Benzema is in on a goal scoring streak but went off with thigh problems. 

The tie is still open for the return Madrid tie & Ajax still has a chance, but for now Real Madrid has the advantage.

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REAL MADRID Nº1 MONEY EARNER | FOOTBALL FINANCE

Thought I post this news piece from the last report on Football Club Earnings for 2017/2018, otherwise better known as the "Deloitte Football Money League" in which the Global Consultancy profiles the highest revenue generating Clubs in World Football (Soccer).
This 22nd edition of the Deloitte Football Money League shows the generating record revenue of €750.9M by Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID CF which returns to the 1ºst place after 3 years. The 2ºnd placed is another Spanish Football Club FC BARCELONA with generated revenue of €690.4M. English Football Club Manchester United, previously in the Nº1 spot with €676.3M drops to 3ºrd place with €666M.


Below is the Top 20 list (Revenues from Stadium tickets, competitions, TV rights, publicity, merchandising...etc)

Deloitte Football Money League: the top 20 in 2017/18
Ranking and income from the previous year in brackets.

1.[2] Real Madrid €750.9m [€674.6m]
2.[3] FC Barcelona €690.4m [€648.3m]
3.[1] Manchester United €666m [€676.3m]
4.[4] Bayern Munich €629.2m [€587.8m]
5.[5] Manchester City €568.4m [€527.7m]
6.[7] Paris Saint-Germain €541.7m [€486.2m]
7.[9] Liverpool €513.7m [€424.2m]
8.[8] Chelsea €505.7m [€428m]
9.[6] Arsenal €439.2m [€487.6m]
10.[11] Tottenham Hotspur €428.3m [€359.5m]
[10] Juventus €394.9m [€405.7m]
[12] Borussia Dortmund €317.2m [€332.6m]
[13] Atletico de Madrid €304.4m [€272.5m]
[15] FC Internazionale Milano €280.8m [€262.1m]
[new] AS Roma €250m
[16] Schalke 04 €243.8m [€230.2m]
[20] Everton €212.9m [€199.2m]
[new] AC Milan €207.7m
[new] Newcastle United €201.5m
[17] West Ham United €197.9m [€213.3m]

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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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LUKA MODRIC | FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL AWARD 2018 WINNER

Croatian International & Real Madrid midfielder LUKA MODRIC has been proclaimed "FRANCE FOOTBALL GOLDEN BALL WINNER 2018" in tonight's ceremony held in Paris, France. The Croatian breaks the Messi - Cristiano Ronaldo 10 year straight hegemony to win at the age of 33 years & after an extraordinary Football year for the Croatian Captain.

Luka Modric was prized ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (2º), Antoine Griezmann (3º), Kylian Mbappe (4º) & Lionel Messi (5º).

The other winners tonight were:

ADA HEGERBERG player of Olympique de Lyon & Norway International won the first ever "FRANCE FOOTBALL FEMALE GOLDEN BALL AWARD 2018", &

KYLIAN MBAPPE player of Paris St Germain & French International won the "KOPA TROPHY" for the Best U21 Player in World Football.

France Football also dedicated part of the ceremony to praise the FRANCE WORLD CUP TEAM for winning the FIFA World Cup, something to expect under the circumstances & who the organizers are, France Football.

To finish, just two notes:

1. Hours before the ceremony & the official announcement of the Golden Ball winner, the list of players, placing & points was filtered out to media. Perhaps its a custom to "prepare" everyone for the occasion. Who knows.

2. Once again CRISTIANO RONALDO pulled his party trick. Knowing beforehand that he would not win, the Juventus FC player decided not to attend tonight's ceremony. This went contrary to 3º placed Griezmann who also knew beforehand he would not win a prize he has desired & called for himself, but attended keeping a smile & commenting he was there due to respect to the other players.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again shows his egoistic personality, & disrespect for other players & in this case, Luka Modric ex-teammate who helped him win his Champions League titles which contributed to his own passed Golden Ball Award title.

Cristiano Ronaldo has lost respect & if it would be possible, I would remove his passed Golden Ball Awards as his behaviour & actions go against the values of the Sport: team spirit, competitive but respectful & acknowledgement to those who are better.

To conclude, absolutely shameful & disgusting the attitude shown by Cristiano Ronaldo for not attending. 

From here congratulations to Luka Modric, his family, friends & Croatia will be proud & happy for this well earned Football Award. 

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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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VALENCIA CF DRAWS - REAL MADRID WINS | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA Champions League action tonight with two Spanish Football Clubs scheduled for their Group match duties. Important games for both Clubs with one needing the win points to keep their Groups chances open (Valencia CF), while the other not only needed the points to not complicate their Group options but their Coach had his job on the line (Real Madrid, Julen Lopetegui).

Here is a brief summary of events, goalscorers & final results.

Spanish Football Club VALENCIA CF travelled to meet YOUNG BOYS needing points to keep up with the pace along with fellow Group Clubs Juventus & Manchester United. The final result a disappointing 1 - 1 draw.

The starting 11 line-up for Valencia CF was:

VALENCIA CF: Neto; Piccini, Paulista, Diakhaby & Gaya; Soler, Kondogbia, Parejo & Ferran Torres; Rodrigo & Batshuayi.

Valencia started well & even went ahead in the 26th min via Batshuayi. However, things went of course with missed opportunities in front of the opposition goal & silly mistakes, one being the penalty to Young Boys in the 53rd min. Valencia CF Captain Dani Parejo made a silly error that allowed Hoarau to score a penalty & give Young Boys the equalizer. 

Goalscorers:
0 - 1 Batshuayi 26th min
1 - 1 Hoarau (pen) 55th min

REAL MADRID hosted Czech Club VIKTORIA PLZEN in a do or die match Group match for Coach Julen Lopetegui who had his job on the line. Also Real Madrid needed to win to not complicate themselves in their Group. The end result a 2 - 1 victory for Real Madrid.

The starting 11 for Real Madrid is above with a few changes to attempt shake things after a bad last past weeks. However, tonights victory was suffered & did not convince. The Spanish Club performed in cycles with a nervous start, goal early by Benzema, disorganized later & Viktoria could have scored before half time.

Real Madrid started well in the 2º half with domination & Marcelo scoring the second. But they missed numerous goal opportunities & when one expected Real Madrid to at least finish comfortably the nerves again set in. ViKtoria Plzen scored in the 77th min & it was all "panic" for Real Madrid. Marcelo got injured towards the end to make this worst & Real Madrid was looking at the clock.

Victory for Real Madrid but short from solving their bad play & problems. 

Tomorrow more Champions League action with Barcelona FC & Atletico de Madrid scheduled for their Group matches.
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