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They have tried since the beginning of the 21 st century to create the ultimate winning machine at Real Madrid that might replicate the days when they were the prototype for the super-club, and at last it seems that the dream has been realised in this, the game’s most competitive era. Their third Champions League in four years, the first time the European Cup has been successfully defended in its new format, a 12 th overall title that takes them so far ahead of the pack as to be uncatchable for possibly another generation. The questions still remain as to how they have amassed such wealth and influence, and upon what foundations president Florentino Perez has built the modern club, but there is no question that the team itself is formidable.
For Ronaldo this was another momentous night which might pave the way for a fifth Ballon d’Or, which would take him equal with Lionel Messi, and there is no disputing the Portuguese goalscorer’s ability to be in the right place at the right time in the big games. He has 600 career goals now at senior level for club and country and yet he is just a constituent part of the perfect football team. Who could overlook the brilliant Luka Modric, the architect of everything Madrid do in attack and the creator of Ronaldo’s second goal? After an indifferent first half, Isco came into his own and when the job was done he made way for Gareth Bale, back on his home turf and winning his third Champions League but a long way from his very best form after that long injury lay-off.
As for Zidane, he is certainly making management look easy. There are many others who have tried to match the spending of this club but Madrid evidently now have the balance right with the axis of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Modric such a dominant force, The French maestro has arrived on the scene at just the right time, as Pep Guardiola once did at Barcelona, but he is certainly making the most of his opportunity. Against the shut-out kings of Europe, Madrid started the game colder with Juventus pressing them high up the pitch. There were enough indifferent performances from the defending champions in that first half to make you wonder if the Italians might have a chance. Miralem Pjanic chested down a pass on the edge of the area within six minutes and hit a shot that Keylor Navas pushed away. The equaliser came within seven minutes and was a direct move executed with great technical precision.
A ball deep into the corner was crossed by Alex Sandro to Gonzalo Higuain who took the ball on his chest and had the presence of mind to play it away from goal to Mandzukic. He was in the left channel, facing away from goal and with very little on, but he took the ball on his chest which gave him enough time to reposition himself for a right-footed shot over his shoulder. It was a marvellous piece of skill and a spectacular goal, but you did wonder how Navas was beaten from such range. The shot was within the reach of a top goalkeeper and somehow Navas could not get to it. Yet even after that, Juventus finished the half strongly and there were bookings for Ramos and Carvajal before the break, the Madrid captain as ever walking a very fine line. 'He's got to keep giving the fouls, keeping control. He's done well so far but needs to stay on top of it,' says Howard Webb.
It's starting to get a bit feisty now. Real attack in the final third, more nice passing and it opens up for Modric from 30 yards!
He hits one on his left foot. But Buffon dives and catches. Isco is beginning to get more involved now and that is opening up opportunities for others to get forward.
Real playing a high press and trying to win the ball back way up the pitch. Great challenge by Barzagli to stop Isco being through on goal! He's playing at right-back tonight, moving into a central defensive position when Alves gets back, but has done well to look after the Real threat down the left. Bonucci is down and there's a bit of concern about him. This might be a really nasty clash of heads. The defender is seeing stars after a collision in the area.
The collision is actually the football hitting him in the face, square off the nose. That still hurts a lot but hopefully he's alright - a football is a better thing to whack off the face than a skull, as my father would always say. Dybala actually takes the free-kick but slams it against the wall and wants another free-kick for handball.
The referee says no! What a first half this has been. That photo is Mandzukic's amazing equaliser. Both teams are looking to attack whenever they can. Juventus look to have changed their shape ever so slightly and have a back two now.
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Sandro accidentally knocks the ball out of play for a goal kick. But the referee says corner. He's not had a great game so far. Chiellini fouls Ramos from the corner. Ronaldo goes down in the area!
Oooohhhh but it's never a penalty. Chiellini is a little overly strong as he bundles the now-striker to the floor but the referee isn't interested. Ronaldo laughs. Dybala wins the prize for first bookable offence and has a yellow card for a foul in his defensive third.
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Real play it short and build up play with passes across the pitch until the cross is pinged into the area, Benzema controls on his chest and holds off his man. But handballs while doing so. Free-kick to Juventus.
This pitch looks absolutely massive - the players are really small, or are from this camera angle any way. Ronaldo still hasn't touched the ball and goes down under a challenge, then spends a few moments sitting down complaining about it. Play continues. Casemiro breaks forward, Isco finds space and moves it right to Ronaldo.
Who finds Modric. But Chiellini clears it up and Juventus break the high press with some amazing short passing.
Dybala pulls off an unbelievably cool little nutmeg pass with his first touch.