Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: 3 things to watch for in the second-leg
By Sachin Bhat
Ronaldo to storm his way back into scoresheet
Talking of Ronaldo, the Portuguese hasn’t found the back of net in 11 days. Make it two weeks at the time of kick-off. He was uncharacteristically silent in the first-leg, failing to even register a shot on target. And in the game to Leganes, he was rested altogether.
But Ronaldo is set to return in the midweek, and would be raring to get back among the goals. Bayern Munich are one of his favourite opponents, scoring 9 times in 7 games, including the hat-trick last year. That’s the most he’s scored against a side in Europe after Juventus (10). Moreover, five of those 9 have come at the Bernabeu.
All-time top semi-final scorer? Cristiano Ronaldo. 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/3EGF1TFWRm
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2018
Additionally, he boasts an nigh-impeccable record in the last four round. In 20 appearances, a record in it’s own, Ronaldo has struck the onion bag 13 times. No player has more than 9. And get this – he needs just one more to equal the figures that the whole of Barcelona have managed in the semis since the inception of the competition in 1992.
🏠🔥 @Cristiano has scored in every single match he's played at home in the last three months! He's netted 18 goals in nine matches at the Bernabéu, averaging two goals a game!#HalaMadridhttps://t.co/XyNnSeAb12
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 29, 2018
Let that sink in first.
Ronaldo’s tryst with the Champions League is well-documented. And one can’t keep him from scoring for much long. He has 15 already this season, and would pull no punches in racing clear of the 17 he managed in 13/14, another all-time record.
Bayern have been warned.