Cristiano Ronaldo remains apex predator in Champions League and other Real Madrid 3-1 PSG talking points

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his leveller against Paris Saint-Germain.

    A brace from record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo’s late deflected goal saw Real Madrid come from behind to defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in a thrilling tie and put one foot inside the Champions League’s quarter-finals.

    Here, we examine the major talking points:

    RONALDO THE RECORD BREAKER

    On the biggest occasion, there is still no one else you’d rather turn to.

    More records tumbled for Ronaldo on Wednesday night as he went about keeping Madrid in this tie.

    His name will be marked in the annals for eternity as the first player to ever score 100 Champions League goals for one club. He has now also notched 10+ goals in seven-consecutive campaigns – no one else, Lionel Messi-included, has done so in more than two.

    Hallmarks of an unmatched consistency at elite level.

    The Ronaldo of 2018 is, of course, much changed to the beast we witnessed from 2010-16.

    This was clear in the first half when Marcelo’s unfathomable first-half pass put him through. The absence of the extra yard of old ensured he found the face of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, rather than the back of the net.

    Yet, he kept his nerve for the penalty and his instincts put him in the right place late on to knock in the second.

    Through force of will and unshakeable belief, he is still the Champions League’s apex predator.

    PSG’S MISSPENT WEALTH

    Balance is key to so much in this life.

    PSG were given a harsh lesson in this maxim at Santiago Bernabeu.

    Unprecedented amounts were committed last summer prising Neymar from Barcelona and – to be paid in the coming months – Kylian Mbappe from Monaco. But attackers the envy of the Europe have left a void in the heart of the side which cannot be filled while stringent Financial Fair Play-requirements are to be met.

    Cultured centre midfielders Marco Verratti, Giovani Lo Celso and goalscorer Adrien Rabiot are more than enough to trample over Ligue 1 fodder.

    But Wednesday’s grand total of just three interceptions from them speaks volumes.

    Defensive midfield isn’t a position which can be successfully thrust upon someone.

    This trio simply did not have the nous, physicality or diligence to stop the punishing Madrid rampage at the death. This had the hallmarks of last season’s painful collapse at Barcelona.

    How they lacked a figure to match reported targets Danilo Pereira of Porto or Monaco’s Fabinho. Free transfers like Lassana Diarra just will not do.

    Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Isco (c) vies with Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti (l).

    Real Madrid’s Spanish midfielder Isco (c) vies with Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti (l).

    ZIDANE COMES UP TRUMPS

    Even in a career as rich as Zinedine Zidane’s, it is unlikely he has known such pressure.

    The most-hyped round-of-16 tie in living memory experienced an interminable build-up.

    This is what a 17-point deficit to hatred rivals Barcelona in La Liga and a shameful early exit in the Copa del Rey will do even to a man who has swept up eight major honours since January 2016, plus become the first coach to retain the continental trophy in the Champions League-era.

    Zidane needed this. Madrid needed this.

    All the disparaging remarks re-appeared about a man cruelly disparaged as “entrenador de palmas” – a coach who does nothing more than clap – when Rabiot took advantage of the usual lack of intensity in centre midfield to slot in the opener.

    Zidane could have buckled. Instead, he was inspired.

    Fed up of getting nowhere through the middle, wingers Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio were thrown on to provide alleviating width.

    PSG’s game plan was shot and two telling goals went in. On such decisions are ties decided and managerial careers salvaged.

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