Tag: Real Madrid

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BENZEMA SCORES BRACE AS REAL MADRID BEAT CADIZ

Real Madrid enjoyed a temporary respite from their European Super League humiliation by thrashing Cadiz 3-0 on Wednesday to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of LaLiga.

Three goals in 10 minutes towards the end of the first half helped Madrid go top of the table on head-to-head, above Atletico Madrid, who play at home to Huesca on Thursday.

Karim Benzema scored twice and set up another for Alvaro Odriozola to head in at the Ramon de Carranza stadium, where any suggestion Madrid’s players might be destabilised after a hugely controversial few days was dismissed.

Madrid president Florentino Perez was the only owner from the European Super League’s 12 founding clubs to speak publicly about the competition following its remarkable launch on Sunday night.

And despite 10 of the 12 clubs pulling out in the face of anger and opposition from all sides of the game, Real Madrid was still officially part of the breakaway tournament when the players kicked off on Wednesday night.

LaLiga sought to capitalise on the momentum towards reform, with the slogan ‘Earn it! On the pitch’ projected for television viewers across the stand where the virtual fans would usually be.

Cadiz players wore t-shirts in the warm-up that read ‘Super League? Football is for everyone’.

Cadiz, who drop to 13th in the table, are a shining example of what sporting merit looks like, back in the top flight for the first time in 15 years and probably already safe, with nine points between them and the bottom three.

They even beat Real Madrid away from home in October.

But with the trophies in sight, Madrid are a different proposition now, this their 16th game unbeaten and returning the team to winning ways after Sunday’s goalless draw away at Getafe.

Casemiro and Nacho Fernandez were both suspended for that game and Zinedine Zidane welcomed the duo back into a side that remains depleted by injuries, with the 20-year-old Antonio Blanco thrown into Madrid’s midfield.

Benzema, though, led from the front, his pass into Vinicius Junior creating the penalty after Iza dangled out a leg in front of the striker.

Benzema buried the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

The second came three minutes later, Iza at fault again as he gave the ball away under pressure from Marcelo and Benzema crossed to the back post, where Odriozola nodded in.

In the 40th minute, it was three. Casemiro’s pass for Vinicius was cleared but only straight back to the midfielder, who this time chipped the ball up for Benzema to add his second, Madrid’s third.

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REPORT: DAVID ALABA SET TO SIGN FIVE YEAR DEAL WITH REAL MADRID

Amid all the chaos today of the proposed (and completely and utterly failed) Super League, a report from Sky broke that David Alaba has agreed to a five-year contract with Real Madrid that would see him join Los Blancos this summer, and remain with the club until 2026.

The same report also stated that the versatile Austrian defender is no longer interested in joining FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid have a history of leaking or announcing deals right after a bad situation, in order to provide fans with a distraction to other problems. This may or may not be that. Either way, it’s not much of a distraction from the real embarrassment the club suffered publicly as the Super League fell apart.

Should Alaba sign, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Sergio Ramos contract negotiations as a domino of this move. Will Ramos and Nacho both stay with the club?

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LIVERPOOL EXIT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WITH ANFIELD BARREN DRAW AGAINST REAL MADRID

Liverpool exited the Champions League with a whimper having failed to properly test Real Madrid in a goalless draw at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s side paid the price for a disastrous 45 minutes in the Spanish capital last week as that 3-1 quarter-final first-leg defeat essentially put them out.

They created enough chances to have clawed back the two-goal deficit but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was hardly extended as yet another wasteful performance from their forwards proved costly with 15 attempts producing just four on target.

But this was a controlled, disciplined performance from the 13-time European champions who knew exactly what was required to get the job done.

It is almost two years since that famous semi-final second-leg comeback against Barcelona and it was five years to the day since the rousing Europa League recovery against Borussia Dortmund but aside from goals this tie was missing one crucial factor – fans.

Both were played out against a background of cacophonous noise but with Anfield empty there was no atmosphere to feed off what had been a positive start.

Hundreds of supporters had lined Anfield Road, very few wearing masks or observing social distancing, to greet the teams with a number setting off flares and smoke canisters.

However, a small minority resorted to throwing objects at Real’s coach and one window was smashed, an act Liverpool condemned as “unacceptable and shameful” and apologised for any distress.

It was reminiscent of the 2018 Champions League quarter-final when Manchester City’s bus was attacked with bottles and stones.

There was more distress for the visitors when the match kicked off as Liverpool were a different animal to last week’s anemic first-half performance.

Mohamed Salah squandered arguably their best chance after only three minutes when Sadio Mane, looking rejuvenated after being rested at the weekend, squared for him but on his favoured left foot he shot straight at Courtois.

A curling effort from James Milner, maybe somewhat surprisingly preferred to Thiago Alcantara, was then tipped behind.

One can only imagine what the decibel levels would have been inside Anfield after that start, although it was easy to predict the hearts-in-mouths reaction when Karim Benzema’s deflected shot hit the post with Alisson Becker beaten after Nat Phillips had lost possession 10 yards inside his own half to allow the France international to race forward.

Tempers boiled over when Casemiro, angry at an earlier tackle by Fabinho, slammed Milner into the first row of Klopp’s dugout, leading to minor scuffles and yellow cards for the Real midfielder and Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

Undeterred by the visitors’ spoiling tactics Trent Alexander-Arnold flicked a cross to the far post which Mane was agonisingly close to reaching while Salah and Georginio Wijnaldum both shot over when well placed as further chances went to waste.

Attacking an empty Kop Firmino forced Courtois into a save 41 seconds after the restart and whizzed a rising drive just past over the crossbar soon after before Klopp turned to Diogo Jota, his second in-form forward after Salah, and Thiago.

Liverpool’s shape changed to 4-2-3-1 with Salah promoted to central striker to allow the three other forwards to slot in behind him, with centre-back Ozan Kabak sacrificed as Fabinho dropped in from midfield.

Real were barely committing anyone even to counter-attacks but when Vinicius Junior broke down the left it required goalkeeper Alisson to block his run and smother Benzema’s follow-up.

Thiago’s crossfield ball was brilliantly kept alive by Alexander-Arnold only for Firmino’s shot on the turn to rebound off Eder Militao when that vital breakthrough seemed likely.

Benzema should have put the hosts out of their misery but his downward header bounced over but it mattered little as Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football now rest on overhauling Chelsea and West Ham to get into the top four.

That will prove difficult, however, if they continue to squander chances like this when it comes to the crunch.

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LIVERPOOL APOLOGISE TO REAL MADRID FOR WINDOW SMASH

Liverpool have condemned the smashing of a window in a Real Madrid team coach and apologised for any distress caused.

A club spokesman said the behaviour “of a few individuals” was “totally unacceptable and shameful”.

Hundreds of fans lined Anfield Road, very few wearing masks or observing social distancing, to greet both teams as they arrived for the Champions League quarter-final second leg with a number setting off flares and smoke cannisters.

When one of Real’s buses parked up at the Kop end of the ground after the team had disembarked, it was apparent one pane of a double-glazed window had been smashed and Liverpool staff were seen cleaning up a pile of broken glass on the ground with Merseyside Police officers in attendance.

“We condemn unequivocally the actions that led to Real Madrid’s team bus being damaged during its arrival to Anfield this evening,” said a Liverpool spokesman.

“It is totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour of a few individuals. We sincerely apologise to our visitors for any distress caused.

“We will work together with Merseyside Police to establish the facts and identify those responsible.”

It is not the first time the opposition coach has been damaged in the build-up to a match at Anfield.

Three years ago Manchester City’s bus was hit by bottles and flares, ahead of another Champions League last-eight clash.

It caused so much damage City had to call for a back-up bus to take the players home after their 3-0 defeat that night.

On that occasion UEFA fined the club 20,000 euros (£17,000) for the damage as well as 6,000 euros (£5,200) for setting off fireworks and throwing objects.

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LUKA MODRIC WOULD PREFER TO FACE THE ‘AMAZING’ ANFIELD ATMOSPHERE

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric would rather face Liverpool in front of a full crowd even though he knows the power of Anfield.

The Croatia international has experienced the atmosphere both with Tottenham and Real, with his last visit in 2014 finishing in a 3-0 victory for the LaLiga side in their Champions League group game.

Wednesday’s situation will be vastly different as the ground will remain empty and Modric admits that will be disappointing, even if it would offer an advantage for the hosts as they seek to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final.

“We are in a situation everyone knows we are living in at the moment. Hopefully this will change quickly,” he said.

“To be honest I would prefer to play at Anfield with the crowd because of the atmosphere here.

“I played a few times with Tottenham, we played that game with Real and the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone wants to play with fans, with the crowd.

“That’s why we are not thinking about if there is a crowd or not or if there is an advantage for us or not.

“It’s a situation that we are in and we need to do the best we can in the circumstances we are in.”

Real’s injury problems have got worse since the first leg as Lucas Vazquez has been sidelined with a knee problem, joining fellow defenders Sergio Ramos (calf), Dani Carvajal (hamstring) and Raphael Varane (Covid-19) and forward Eden Hazard (muscle) on the absentee list.

However, coach Zinedine Zidane refused to allow it to be considered a weakness as his fit players become overstretched.

“We are going to try to manage our strengths, manage our injuries. We are always going to go out and try to win the game,” he said.

“There are challenges and difficulties. You grow stronger as a team and become more united. That is one of the qualities this team has.

“It is true a lot has happened to this team this season. I’d love to have everyone available but we have everyone who is here and they are the ones who count tomorrow.

“We will need to compete, defend well and attack when we get the chance. We are very prepared to face up to this game.”

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LIVERPOOL MUST BE NEAR PERFECT TO BEAT REAL MADRID – ROBERTSON

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insists the players are determined to prolong their Champions League season despite few people giving them a chance of making the semi-finals after their woeful first-leg performance against Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s side trail 3-1 heading into the second leg at Anfield, which devoid of fans will not be able to provide the backdrop for another potential comeback like the one famously fashioned against Barcelona two years ago.

Robertson believes the task that awaits them on Wednesday is equal to that which faced them after losing 3-0 to Lionel Messi-inspired opponents in the Nou Camp, when supporters played their part in the 4-0 home win.

“They are both as hard, and are different but same in their own way,” said the Scotland captain.

“Barcelona that night was obviously an incredible night and wouldn’t have been possible without fans in there.

“The fans made us feel 10 feet tall and believe even more. We felt before that game we could overturn it.

“Walking out in front of 55,000 other people who believed gave that extra five or 10% which makes a huge difference. Unfortunately tomorrow night we won’t have that.

“We are coming up against the team that is the most experienced in this tournament and won it the most times (13) in the short history and long history. They are a fantastic team full of quality.

“It’s a big task for us and isn’t the same as the Barcelona game. We can’t rely on the fact we came back in that game that we are going to come back in this one.

“People have maybe written us off but we believe we can put in a better performance than last week and that’s the only way to give us a fighting chance.

“We believe we can win the game. If we do that it gives us a fighting chance; let’s see if it’s enough on the night. Fingers crossed it will be.

“Our determination is to take our chances, keep a clean sheet and make it as uncomfortable for them as possible.

“It needs to be a close-to-perfect game. We’ve done it in the past but we can’t rely on that. It’s up to us to create a Champions League night at Anfield without the fans.”

Klopp does not believe it is possible for his players to perform as badly as they did in Madrid last week, where they were lucky to get in at half-time only 2-0 down after a first half in which every player was off their game.

Mohamed Salah’s 26th goal in 44 Champions League matches for the club briefly gave them hope before more bad defending allowed Vinicius Junior to score his second of the night.

“It was (a feeling) of disappointment, of course it was – nobody hid away from that, the performance wasn’t on the level it should be,” added Robertson.

“We gave away three cheap goals, that probably could have been avoided and we got an away goal which was the only bonus of that night.

“We have given ourselves a chance, we are still in the tie, we are still in the competition.

“We need to be better at everything we do tomorrow night. We need to put pressure on an unbelievable, experienced team and try to make it uncomfortable for them.

“If we can do that and take chances, let’s see where it can take us.”

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EL CLASICO: REAL MADRID EDGE BARCELONA IN THRILLER TO GO TOP OF LA LIGA TABLE

Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga on Saturday after Karim Benzema’s flicked finish helped them claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a wild Clasico at Valdebebas. Benzema’s superb piece of skill and a deflected Toni Kroos free-kick put Madrid in charge and while Oscar Mingueza pulled one back for Barca, they fell to defeat in what could be Lionel Messi’s final appearance in this fixture. Victory means Real Madrid go level on points with Atletico, with the top three now separated by a single point.

Atletico, without the injured Luis Suarez, face Real Betis on Sunday.

But Real Madrid now own the better head-to-head against both of their rivals while Barcelona and Atletico still have to play each other at Camp Nou in the run-in.

With Atletico stumbling and both Barca and Real Madrid hitting their stride, this game looked set to define, if not the title, then who would become favourites to be crowned champions in May.

The result was a riveting contest at a rain-soaked Alfredo di Stefano stadium – certainly one of the most exciting Clasicos in years – that saw both teams squander numerous chances, several efforts come back off the woodwork and Casemiro sent off in extra time.

With the last play of the game, Barcelona substitute Ilaix Moriba rattled Real Madrid’s crossbar.

“We’re still in it,” said Barca coach Ronald Koeman.

“We’ve lost a game against a team who is also fighting for the league but we have eight game left and we will fight to the end.”

Casemiro’s red card had also given Messi a free-kick and the chance for a dramatic equaliser but instead the Argentinian made it seven games now without a goal against Real Madrid, with many wondering if his 45th Clasico will be his last.

Messi might yet turn the tide in the eight games still remaining but there is no doubt Madrid are in the groove after backing up beating Liverpool 3-1 on Tuesday with another crucial victory.

They can finish the job in the Champions League at Anfield next week although Zinedine Zidane admitted afterwards his players are “physically at their limit”.

“It was a difficult game, the first half was ours, but we suffered in the second,” said Zidane. “We deserved the victory, because we had a lot of chances to score the third.”

A breathless first half began with chances for both sides as Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s sloppy clearance almost gave Benzema a clear run at goal before Messi slipped in Jordi Alba but the cross was intercepted by Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid’s opener came after a superb counter-attack from Barcelona, Messi going down too easily on the edge of the area, with Madrid pouring forward on the break.

Fede Valverde powered through midfield and fed wide to Lucas Vazquez, whose cross was expertly flicked inside the near post by Benzema.

The goal shook Barca, who were unable to restrain the speed of Madrid and particularly Vinicius Junior on the break.

Vinicius was brought down by Ronald Araujo on the edge of the area and Kroos’ free-kick cannoned off the back off Sergino Dest and in, evading the efforts of Alba to head away on the line.

Valverde and Messi both struck the post before half-time, Valverde after another scintillating Madrid counter-attack and Messi from a corner, with Courtois beaten.

Koeman brought Antoine Griezmann on for Dest but as the rain poured down, Madrid poured forward. Kroos and Benzema both could have scored a third and they were punished for failing to capitalise.

Griezmann jumped over Alba’s cross and as the ball skidded through, Mingueza did well to shin it into the net.

Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross onto his own post and Alba was denied by Courtois. Again, Madrid tore away, again they missed the chance, Vinicius running onto Luka Modric’s pass but opting not to shoot, allowing Araujo to clear.

With 20 minutes left, Zidane took off Benzema, Vinicius and Kroos.

Referee Gil Manzano had to replace his equipment because of the rain. Messi changed his shirt for a dry one.

Barcelona wantd a late penalty when Ferland Mendy clipped Martin Braithwaite with his arm but the appeal was optimistic.

Casemiro was sent off in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Mingueza, that gave Messi a free-kick on the edge of the area but Courtois saved.

With Ter Stegen up and almost the last kick of the game, Ilaix rattled the crossbar. Madrid survived.

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Vinícius Junior leads Real Madrid past Liverpool in 1st leg of CL quarterfinals

The game was a rematch of the 2018 Champions League final won by the same score by Madrid, which since then was eliminated in the tournament’s round of 16 two years in a row. Liverpool won the title following the loss to Madrid but was also eliminated in the round of 16 last season.

Vinícius Júnior finally came up with the type of performance Real Madrid fans have been expecting from him.

The Brazilian forward netted his first double for the club on Tuesday, leading it to a 3-1 over Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

The youngster tormented the Liverpool defense all night and was precise with his finishes, moving the Spanish powerhouse closer to the semifinals after a two-year absence.

People outside of the club criticize me, but I keep working hard,” the 20-year-old Vinícius Júnior said. “That gives me the strength to arrive at an important moment like this and score the goals that the team needed.”

Marco Asensio also scored for Madrid, which took full advantage of Liverpool’s defensive blunders in the first half to take a commanding lead ahead of next week’s second leg in England.

Mohamed Salah netted the lone goal for Liverpool early in the second half before Vinícius Júnior sealed the victory for the hosts.

“If you want to go to the semifinals, you have to earn the right to do so,” Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said. “We didn’t do that tonight, especially in the first half, so the only good thing really that I can say about the game apart from the fact we scored the goal, is that it’s only the first leg.”

The game was a rematch of the 2018 Champions League final won by the same score by Madrid, which since then was eliminated in the tournament’s round of 16 two years in a row. Liverpool won the title following the loss to Madrid but was also eliminated in the round of 16 last season.

Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at home in the other quarterfinal on Tuesday.

Liverpool recently endured a run of poor results and sits only seventh in the Premier League, so it may have to win the Champions League to return to the European competition next season.

It looked lost at the start of the match at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium in Madrid, unable to get a shot on goal in the first half.

Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring on a breakaway in the 27th after a superb long pass over the top by Toni Kroos. The Brazilian forward made a nice run between Liverpool defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Nathaniel Phillips then chested the ball down before firing a low right-footed shot from inside the area past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Vinícius Júnior, who had scored only one goal since October and four in total this season, arrived to Madrid amid high expectations as a teenager but had been criticized for his poor finishes and bad decisions in front of goal. He pointed to the team’s shield both times after scoring.

“I’m happy for him, he needed to score,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “He has been playing well and helping the team. When you score it gives you more energy, that’s for sure.”

Another long pass by Kroos — and a defensive blunder by Liverpool — led to Asensio’s second goal in the 36th. Alexander-Arnold tried to clear the ball from Kroos but headed it across the area directly to Asensio, who flipped the ball over the charging Becker and finished the move on the other side to push it into the open net.

Liverpool complained of a foul by Lucas Vázquez on Sadio Mané just moments before Madrid’s second goal.

The English side improved after the break and was able to pull one back early in the second half with Salah finding the net from close range after a shot by Diogo Jota was partially blocked by Luka Modric in the 51st. The goal had to be confirmed by video review because of a possible offside by Salah.

With the goal, Salah became the fifth Liverpool player to score in four consecutive European appearances.

Asensio, who scored in each of Madrid’s last four games in all competitions, squandered the chance to increase Madrid’s lead on a breakaway in the 64th. But a minute later, Vinícius Júnior didn’t miss his opportunity after a pass by Modric amid more soft defending by the English team, finding the net with a shot from near the penalty spot.

Liverpool had kept four consecutive clean sheets away from home going into the game in Madrid. It has not had five in a row in away games this century.

Madrid got the win even though its defensive problems compounded just before the game as Raphael Varane tested positive for the coronavirus. Captain Sergio Ramos had already been ruled out because of an injury.

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UCL: REAL MADRID DEFENDER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AHEAD LIVERPOOL CLASH

Raphael Varane tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Real Madrid said, leaving the team facing a crisis in defence ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool.

Madrid are already without the injured Sergio Ramos, meaning Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are the only fit central defenders left in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the game against Liverpool in the Spanish capital later on Tuesday.

“Real Madrid C. F. informs that our player Raphael Varane tested positive in the COVID-19 test he underwent this morning,” a club statement read.

Varane’s absence comes at the worst possible time for Madrid, with the Frenchman also expected to miss Saturday’s Clasico against Barcelona and the return leg against Liverpool at Anfield next week.

Varane has been a key part of Real Madrid’s upturn in form in recent weeks, which has seen the team go 11 games unbeaten and move to within three points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona are just a point behind Atletico, with the Clasico at Valdebebas this weekend set to mark a crucial point in the Spanish title race.

Madrid have had six positive cases of COVID-19 this season, Varane following Militao, Eden Hazard, Casemiro, Luka Jovic and Nacho in catching the virus.

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AHEAD UCL QUARTER FINAL CLASH: ZINEDINE ZIDANE PRAISES LIVERPOOL AS A COMPLETE TEAM

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has praised Liverpool as “a complete team” ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal first leg but said he believes critics were too hasty to write off Madrid’s chances of winning silverware this year.

Both teams have struggled for consistency at times this season, but Real Madrid are now just three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid in La Liga, while Liverpool are two points off the Premier League top four.

“They’re a complete team,” Zidane said at a news conference on Monday. “Some people will mention the three forwards, and it’s true that they’re really good, but I think they’re a strong, solid unit. I’d rather focus on the team. After that, yes, the three forwards are really efficient. We’ll have to be alert.”

Zidane’s job looked to be under threat earlier in the campaign, with Madrid on the brink of being knocked out of the Champions League group stage for the first time.

The team lost their opening European fixture 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, then drew 2-2 with Borussia Monchengladbach, before back-to-back wins over Inter Milan were followed by another defeat 2-0 to Shakhtar.

There was more pressure on Zidane in January, when Madrid were knocked out of the Spanish Supercopa by Athletic Bilbao and the Copa del Rey by third-tier Alcoyano, and lost at home to Levante in La Liga.

“Yes, I think so,” Zidane said, when asked if his team had been written off prematurely. “I believe in my team and I have confidence in them, I know what they can do. But we can’t change that… The good thing with this team, this club’s history, is that we never give up on things. Where there’s life, there’s hope, and we’re alive in two competitions.”

Real Madrid and Liverpool last met in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, when a Gareth Bale brace gave Madrid a 3-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Since then, Liverpool have gone on to win the competition in Madrid in 2019 and ended a 30-year wait for the Premier League title a year later.

“Since the final we played, they’ve won the Champions League, and we lost Cristiano [Ronaldo],” defender Nacho Fernandez said. “But I don’t think there’s much difference between us. We’re competitive, we’ve won a lot of trophies, we’re in great form and we have a great squad.”

Zidane wouldn’t confirm if Eden Hazard would be available for Tuesday’s match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, after the forward took part in training on Monday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that his side were not looking to see revenge for the 2018 final defeat

“We are not on a revenge tour here,” he told a news conference on Monday. “I don’t believe too much in revenge, but it would be nice to get through.

“Madrid are outstanding — sometimes you meet opponents again. It is nothing to do with the Premier League season either.

“I cannot get that feeling back, that anger or whatever, so I don’t even try. If we are better than Real Madrid or score more goals, then we can go to the next round.

“We are still in the fight for the Champions League spots. We have to chase the teams ahead of us, we have to chase Real Madrid tomorrow, who are in a really good moment.

“Very experienced. If someone knows how to win the Champions League, it is Real Madrid.”