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29 March 2024

Ronaldo eager for Lisbon Champions League final after breaking Messi's record

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo says the chance to win the Champions League title with Real Madrid in Lisbon means more to him than setting the new European goal-scoring record.

The 29-year-old Real star netted twice in Tuesday's historic 4-0 rout of Bayern Munich as the holders suffered their heaviest home defeat in European competition to crash out of the semi-finals 5-0 on aggregate.

Ronaldo picked up his 15th and 16th goals of the current European campaign to help put the Spanish side into the final in Lisbon on May 24 as Carlo Ancelotti's side humiliated the defending champions.

The Portuguese forward's two goals helped him eclipse the previous best of 14 in a season registered by Barcelona's Lionel Messi in 2011-12 and Jose Altafini of AC Milan in 1962-63.

"The team really helped me, I am overjoyed, but not primarily because of the cup record, but mainly because we now have the chance to win the title, especially in my home country, in Lisbon," said Ronaldo, who was born on the island of Madeira, but started his professional career at Sporting Lisbon.

Real will face either Mourinho's Chelsea or neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Lisbon final as they look to claim 'La Decima' - their tenth European title having last reached the Champions League final in 2002.

"We'll go there (to Lisbon) with our heads held high, but with our feet on the ground. It will be a difficult game," said Ronaldo, with the final to be held at the Estadio da Luz, the home of Benfica, the local rivals of Sporting, who Ronaldo left in 2003 to join Manchester United as an 18-year-old.

Ronaldo put Real's emphatic win down to their Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti as reigning European champions Bayern were humiliated in their own Allianz Arena stadium.

"It is solely the merit of Carlo Ancelotti," Ronaldo said, as the Italian replaced Jose Mourinho, who now coaches Chelsea, at the start of the season.

"He changed everything, especially the mentality of the players."

The World Player of the Year has reached the new record tally in just 10 appearances in the competition this season, his tally also including a hat-trick against Galatasaray in the group stage and braces against FC Copenhagen, Juventus and in both legs of the last-16 tie against Schalke 04.

Ronaldo has now scored 66 Champions League goals and is closing in on former Real Madrid striker Raul's overall record for the most goals in the competition of 71.

EUROPEAN CUP

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday broke the record for the most goals in a European Cup or Champions League season in his side's 4-0 semi-final second-leg victory over Bayern Munich.

Ronaldo picked up his 15th and 16th goals of the campaign to help put the Spanish side into the final in Lisbon on May 24 as Carlo Ancelotti's side humiliated the defending champions.

The Portuguese forward's two goals helped him eclipse the previous best of 14 in a season registered by Barcelona's Lionel Messi in 2011-12 and Jose Altafini of AC Milan in 1962-63.

The World Player of the Year has reached the new record tally in just 10 appearances in the competition this season, his tally also including a hat-trick against Galatasaray in the group stage and braces against FC Copenhagen, Juventus and in both legs of the last-16 tie against Schalke 04.

He has now scored 66 Champions League goals and is closing in on former Real Madrid striker Raul's overall record for the most goals in the competition of 71.

His goals helped take Real through to their first Champions League final since they last lifted the trophy in 2002, when Zinedine Zidane inspired them to a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.

They will now play either Chelsea or Atletico Madrid, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge after the first leg finished 0-0. 
 
HISTORIC WIN

Real Madrid reached their first Champions League final for 12 years with an historic 4-0 win at Bayern Munich in Tuesday's semi-final, second leg to knock the holders out.

Having won last week's first-leg 1-0 in Madrid, Real won the semi-final 5-0 on aggregate as Pep Guardiola's Bayern suffered their heaviest home defeat in European competition.

Bayern had previously never lost at home by more than two goals in Europe as the Bavarian giants saw their dreams of reaching a fourth Champions League final in five years crushed.

Real are one game away from the 'Decima' - their tenth European title - and will face either neighbours Atletico Madrid or Chelsea in the May 24 final in Lisbon.

Real centre-back Sergio Ramos produced two early bullet headers to dismiss Bayern's dreams of becoming the first team to defend the Champions League title.

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo then made it 3-0 at the break before the Real superstar netted his 49th goal of the season with a free kick just before the final whistle.

The only downside to Real's stunning win in Germany was the loss of Xabi Alonso for the Lisbon final after he picked up his third booking of the campaign.

But there was no denying an historic night for Real, especially for coach Carlo Ancelotti who has now never lost to Bayern in eight matches, six times with former club AC Milan and twice with Madrid.

There was a minute's silence before kick-off for former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday at the age of 45, and Vujadin Boskov, the former Real coach who passed away on Sunday aged 82.

The Munich crowd soon saw their dreams of a repeat of last season's treble of European, Bundesliga and German Cup titles swept away as Real floored the Bavarians in a devastating first-half spell.

Real needed just 16 minutes to take the lead at the Allianz Arena as Ramos powered home his first header from Luka Modric's corner to silence the home support.

It was the start of a miserable five minutes for Bayern as centre-back Dante was shown a yellow card for clumsily scything down Ronaldo just before Ramos struck again.

When Angel Di Maria swung in a free-kick, centre-back Pepe flicked it on for Ramos to head home his second goal in just four minutes to leave Bayern reeling.

Real then compounded Bayern's misery as Di Maria played Karim Benzema into space and the Frenchman found Bale, who accelerated away.

His pass was drilled home by Ronaldo on 34 minutes, breaking the record for most Champions League goals in a campaign, to leave the hosts 3-0 down at the break and on the ropes.

A foul by Xabi Alonso on Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger five minutes later earned the Spain star a yellow card, his third of the competition, to rule him out of the final.

Guardiola responded at half-time by swapping Mario Mandzukic for Javi Martinez, abandoning his 4-2-3-1 formation for a 4-2-4 system, pushing Schweinsteiger up into the attacking midfield alongside Thomas Mueller.

Despite Bayern's best efforts, Real's defence held firm and then Ronaldo put the final nail in the holders' coffin with his second of the game when his free-kick shot under the Munich wall on 90 minutes.

FULL-TIME

Bayern 0 Real 4 (Ramos 16" 20" Ronaldo 34" 89")

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos netted a brace each as Real Madrid put up a clinical performance in outplaying defending champions Bayern Munich 4-0 in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.

Real, who won the first leg in Bernabeu 1-0, finished with a 5-0 aggregate to book their place in the final to be played in Lisbon on May 24.

Carlo Ancelotti's side now await the winners of the other semifinal between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid who will play tomorrow.

Real were simply outstanding from the outset. Sergio Ramos made his presence felt with two goals in quick succession, both from headers, to almost nip Bayern's challenge in the bud.

Ronaldo then became the highest scorer of the tournament in one season with 15 goals, surpassing Lionel Messi (14), when he added the finishing touches to a superb effort from Gareth Bale.

With a three-goal cushion for Real in the first half it was all over bar the shouting for Bayern.

Ronaldo only rubbed more salt into their wounds with a free-kick minutes from the end to ensure Real will play the final in his home country.

The only sad news for Real is that Xabi Alonso will miss the final for earning his second yellow.

Pepe was outstanding in marshalling the defence. Overall a superb show by the Copa del Rey champions.

90+2" Referee Pedro Proenca from Portugal blows the long whistle and its curtains for Bayern.

Bayern 0 Real 4 (Ramos 16" 20" Ronaldo 34" 89")

89" GOAL! Ronaldo scores from a free-kick deceiving the defence and Neuer with a flat shot.

85" Five minutes left and Bayern are clueless as Real finished the job in the first half itself.

83" Lot of empty seats visible now as Real try for another goal but in vain.

With 10 minutes to go for the final whistle the writing is on the wall for defending champions Bayern as their spectators begin to leave the stadium.

79" Benzema comes out and is replaced by Isco.

77" Kroos' long ranger almost kisses the woorwork. Some intensity shown by Bayern with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

75" Pizzarro comes in for Muller. But it is Gotze who with his first touch comes close to scoring.

73" Had it been the Bernabeu Ramos would have got a standing ovation but the Allianz Arena is all to happy to see him replaced after his two goals ended Bayern's campaign early.

Real's threat on the counter has put Bayern in a Catch-22 situation. The German club needs to score five goals but can't at the same time afford to concede another goal.

69" Di Maria's cross and Ronaldo jumps high for this header which sails over.

64" There is a melee in the Bayern six yard box and Ronaldo and Coentrao are both in a mix-up with Coentrao taking a shot which goes out.

Bayern are desperate to make a match of it as defender Dante is on top in a bid to score but the Real wall looks impregnable.

60" Futile effort from Ribery, almost out of frustration and Casillas is unmoved, making a routine save.

57" Robben's curling left-footer goes sailing past the far post of a diving Casillas

56" Pepe stands tall in the Real defence lunging above the rest to make clearances as Bayern continue to make the same mistake of lobbing the ball in the box.

53" Carvajal and Ramos come to Real's rescue as Bayern step on the gas.

50" Di Maria is off-side after some good one-touch passing between Ronaldo, Carvajal and Conetrao.

If Bayern cannot score the five goals to go through they should ensure they at least go down with dignity in front of their cherring fans.

46" A misunderstanding between Mueller and Schweinsteiger in the Real box ends up in Ramos clearing it to safety.

Bayern have to score five goals if they are to progress. Guardiola has made one change during half-time bringing in Javier Martinez for Mario Mandzukic. Is the move a case of too little too late?

HALF-TIME

Bayern 0 Real 3 (Ramos 16" 20" Ronaldo 34")

45+1" Ronaldo takes a booming free-kick but it lacks direction.

42" Bayern are trying hard to pull one back but Pepe and Ramos are outstanding in defence.

38" YELLOW! Xabi Alonso is booked for a tackle on Schweinsteiger and will miss the final.

37" Ronaldo misses to add to his tally when Neuer once again steps out of the box to clear but kicks it in the path of the Portuguese striker who takes a long volley only to see the ball bounce once before going agonisingly over the crosspiece.

Going by Real's performance tonight one can safely predict that Ronaldo will be playing the final in his home country Portugal.

Bayern 0 Real 3 (Ramos 16" 20" Ronaldo 34")

34" GOAL! Ronaldo scores after Bale does the hard work. The Portuguese striker is now the highest scorer with 15 goals in  a single Champions League competition.

28" Bayern finally muster a shot on goal although Ribery's attempt is not good enough to unsettle Casillas.

26" Bayern need four goals now if they are to progress to the final. Improbable but not impossible.

24" Ronaldo goes solo but his grounder is wide although it beats Neuer.

Bayern 0 Real 2 (Ramos 16" 20")

20" GOAL! Bayern's defence is all at sea here and Ramos is at it again heading froma a free-kick taken by Di Maria.

16" YELLOW! Dante is booked for jabbing Ronaldo.

Bayern 0 Real 1 (Ramos 16")

16" GOAL! What a header from Sergio Ramos. He rises above the Bayern defence and above Ronaldo to nod the ball past a hapless Neuer and put Real in command.  

12" Real keep the pressure on Bayern and Di Maria almost capitalises on some sloppy defending by the Bavarians nut his half-hearted attempt goes wide. 

9" Lucky escape for Bayern as Neuer charges out for an innocuous ball and hands Bale a nice volley from 20 yards which he hastily boots over with an empty goal gaping at him.

7" Real are being jeered with every touch of the ball.

5" Lahm to Mueller who crosses quickly across to Mandzukic but Pepe lunges in time to clear.

3" See-saw battle going on in the initial minutes. Both teams grabbing the ball only to let it slip away.

1" Ronaldo finds Di Maria on the left flank. The Argetninian crosses for Benzema but Neuer intercepts it with a dive.

Real get the match started.

Pep Guardiola goes across to wish Carlo Ancelotti as the players wish one another before play can get under way in a few seconds.

Players from both teams are back in the dugout. The tension at the Allianz Arena is understandably palpable. The stadium is also very colourful.

Fifteen minutes to go for kick-off and both teams lossen up in the middle. Cameramen folow Ronaldo and Bale. 

Madrid welcomed back Wales forward Gareth Bale after illness, while Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo starts after a recent hamstring problem, while Karim Benzema (knee) and Pepe (hamstring) too return for tonight's crucial second leg match of the Champions League semi-final.

Holders Bayern Munich recalled skipper Philipp Lahm and winger Arjen Robben. The German champions, who trail 1-0, named the pair as substitutes in Saturday's 5-2 win over Werder Bremen.

STARTING XI

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Robben, Mueller, Ribery, Mandzukic.

Subs: Raeder, Van Buyten, Martinez, Rafinha, Pizarro, Gotze, Hojbjerg.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao, Modric, Alonso, Angel di Maria, Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Subs: Diego Lopez, Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Morata, Isco, Illarra.

STAT ATTACK

Real have won only twice in 27 matches in Germany.

Bayern have 15 wins in 21 matches at home to Spanish teams.

Real are most clinical finishers in the tournament, scoring with 30% of shots on target.

Real have won 6 of their last 7 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).

Bayern are undefeated in their last 8 home matches against Real Madrid in all competitions.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Real Madrid: 4-3-3

Bayern: 4-1-4-1

PREVIEW

Gareth Bale has declared himself fit and ready to play in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich after missing Real Madrid's 4-0 league win over Osasuna at the weekend due to flu.

"I feel good. I've had a few days training," Bale told reporters on Monday. "I'm hoping to play tomorrow and looking forward to it. We are ready to give it 100 percent, our best shot. I don't feel like we've qualified for the final yet."

Real are eyeing their 10th European crown and lead 1-0 from the first leg in Madrid last week.

Bale had been rested for Saturday's league win but is expected to feature in the starting lineup in Munich alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted twice against Osasuna.

Real will need all their firepower as the Germans plan an all-out assault to score more than one goal against a team that kept them at bay in the first leg and are extremely dangerous on the counter attack.

They are also out to take revenge for their semi-final defeat on penalties to the Germans at the same stage two years ago.

"We have a slight advantage from the first leg coming here but that is it," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"We know tomorrow's game is going to be very difficult. We are not that stupid as to think we have already qualified."

Ancelotti said he expected Bayern again to go out to dominate possession, as in the first leg, with Real lurking on the break.

The Bavarians enjoyed close to 65 per cent possession in Madrid - some 78 per cent in the first half alone - but did not make that advantage count.

"I don't think tactically the game is going to change a lot tomorrow. Bayern have their footballing philosophy, but I don't think tactics will be all-important," the Italian said.

"I actually think the mental side of things will be more important.

"It is possible to advance even if we don't score, but our intention is to do so. We have scored a lot in the Champions League and in the Liga and my intention is that we do so again in this one."

Bayern have had a rocky end to their Bundesliga season after clinching the title in record time with seven games to spare. They have conceded two goals or more in three of their last four league games, having lost two of them.

"We need to start stronger, and must make a big effort. We will need maximum effort from everyone in order to reach the final," Ancelotti said.

HOME ADVANTAGE

Bayern Munich plan on making home advantage count in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, second-leg, against Real Madrid having never lost at home to the Spanish giants.

Madrid arrive in the Bavarian capital holding a 1-0 lead thanks to Karim Benzema's 19th-minute goal in last Wednesday's first leg in Madrid and are looking to avenge their defeat at the same stage to Bayern two years ago.

History is on the Germans' side.

Bayern have never lost to Real in Munich, with eight victories and one draw, to lead the overall series with 11 victories to Madrid's eight from 21 encounters.

The second-leg is finely poised.

Real maintained their positive momentum since beating Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final before their first-leg victory over Bayern by romping to a 4-0 win over Osasuna in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo proved he is fit for the Munich clash after a hamstring injury by scoring twice to leave him on 47 goals for the season.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti rested stars Benzema, who picked up a knee knock in the first leg, and Gareth Bale, who was recovering from flu, at Osasuna.

The Italian has insisted both men should be fit to start at the Allianz Arena.

"I am sure that whatever eleven I play will be full of desire and excited to play such a big game," said Ancelotti.

"Everyone should be calm because we are going to prepare properly.

"The objective is to score, not to defend, and that is the manner in which we will continue to work."

Ancelotti has never lost to a German team in six encounters from his time as AC Milan manager, but the key to Tuesday's game will be who scores first.

Real will be chasing the first goal in Munich which would leave Bayern needing to score at least three times to progress to their fourth Champions League final in five years.

Worryingly for coach Pep Guardiola, Bayern have conceded the first goal in seven of their last nine matches since winning the Bundesliga title with a record seven matches to spare last month.

A woeful first-half in Saturday's dress rehearsal saw the hosts 2-1 down to Werder Bremen in Munich before Bayern roared back with four second-half goals to claim a comfortable Bundesliga win.

But the flattering scoreline failed to mask Bayern's dreadful defending in the first 45 minutes, which Guardiola admitted gave him cause for concern.

"That is the first time that I have been a bit disappointed and sad about the first half - the fans didn't deserve that," said Guardiola.

"We were better in the second half, that's good for the mood ahead of the Madrid match, but it will be a completely different game.

"I trust my team and I hope that we can all manage it together."

Bayern are bidding to become the first side to retain the Champions League trophy and will be the first team since Juventus (1996-98) to reach three consecutive finals if they get past Madrid to reach the final in Lisbon on May 24.

In contrast, Real are eager to reach their first Champions League final since winning the title in 2002 having bowed out at the semi-final stage for the last three seasons running.

With Ronaldo and Bale both fit, Ancelotti is set to include both in his forward line alongside Benzema with Isco on the bench.

Guardiola has some key selection decisions to make after Brazil's Rafinha struggled with the fleet-footed Real attack in Madrid and one option would be to move captain Philipp Lahm to right-back from the defensive midfield.

Guardiola must also decide which stars to use in the attacking midfield after Germany pair Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze both started on the bench in Madrid, with Mueller in particular voicing his discontent.