Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian playmaker Marcelo gave an enormous boost to Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, after the team came from behind to beat Paris Saint Germain 3-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Zidane had been under pressure with Real flagging domestically, 19 points away from arch rivals Barcelona. He thus needed the win. He will even earn praise for his substitutions, with Marco Asensio coming off the bench to set up each of the two late goals.
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That was after Zidane had taken a risk by leaving out Gareth Bale, a key element in the side that has won three of the last four Champions Leagues. The Welshman’s place in the line-up was taken by Isco.
This is now the 7th consecutive season that @Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 10+ goals in the UEFA Champions League. 🤯 #UCL pic.twitter.com/wA47ajzlxU
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 14, 2018
Ronaldo scored twice in the match regarded as the first leg of of the clash of two heavyweights, NAN reported.