Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo had a night to forget after getting a red card in his Champions League debut for Juventus, his previous club Real Madrid showed that they are coping just fine without him. Ronaldo left the pitch in tears after receiving a straight red for seemingly pulling Jeison Murrillo’s hair. There were only tears of joy at Bernabeu, as life after Ronaldo has started very smoothly.
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Isco and Asensio taking their chances
Ronaldo’s departure has meant that players like Isco and Asensio are getting more chances and Gareth Bale is enjoying a more significant role. Roma is not a team that can be taken for granted – look at how they dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League last season. However, the reigning Champions League winners made light work of a comfortable home win.
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It was Isco that got on the scoresheet first with a sublime free-kick that Ronaldo would have been proud of. The only surprise was that it had taken until the stroke of half-time to break the deadlock. Real Madrid had numerous chances but was unable to make the most of them.
Bale gets in on the action
The second half was a much truer reflection of the run of play. Gareth Bale took his chance 58 minutes after a wonderful pass from Luka Modric. This second goal seemed to spark a reaction from Roma but despite several chances, Navas was equal to any attempts. Asensio came on and went close with an effort before another substitute, Mariano applied the final nail in the coffin with Real Madrid’s third goal.
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The road to Madrid
Real Madrid looks like they will be the team to beat again this season and with the final being held in Madrid this time around, the story feels like it has already been written.
