Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez was delighted to see his side progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.
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Real and PSG drew 0-0 at the Parc des Princes last month in their first competitive game in more than 20 years and are tied on seven points from three of six matches. He is lacking match fitness and may still not be back to his best. He has scored four goals and set up three more in nine games for PSG, though he did not quite have an impact in the first encounter against his old club.
“It was not a comfortable game for us at all”, Real defender Sergio Ramos told reporters.
A mysterious on-pitch chat with Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc has fueled rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way out of Real Madrid sooner rather than later, as speculation grows over the 30-year-old’s future.
Real Madrid’s midfielder Luka Modric gave PSG credit for playing a strong 2nd half and added that Madrid will be stronger once all their players are back.
The French team had the best chances in the first half. “We have to stay very vigilant but, I insist, as I said before, we have to pay a lot of attention to the offensive game”, he said. Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez was on the bench, but coach Rafa Benitez still couldn’t count on strikers Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
The Ligue 1 leaders are coming off a 1-nil away win over Rennes, with Angel Di Maria scoring in the 75th minute for PSG earn another three points, placing them 10 points above second-place Olympique Lyonnias on the table.
Despite a winning result against Paris Saint-Germain, the ESPN FC crew remain unimpressed by Real Madrid’s play in the UCL.
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In Man United’s group, PSV Eindhoven had a 2-0 win at home to Wolfsburg, Jürgen Locadia and Luuk de Jong grabbing the goals in the second half. PSG were much criticised for their cautious approach against a vastly under-strength Madrid side in a 0-0 draw in Paris two weeks ago.
