Diego Simeone believes comeback against Real Madrid is possible

The Portuguese superstar netted a superb hat-trick in Real Madrid‘s 3-0 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid as Los Blancos took a big step in qualifying for the final later this month.

Ronaldo’s overall Champions League record for Real Madrid now stands at an eye-watering 88 goals and 23 assists in 86 games.

“The second half we had the ball, but could not create chances, and with spaces they are risky obviously and did us a lot of damage by finishing the chances that they had”.

“Cristiano is a goalscorer”.

“Goalscoring is something he has over others, that is what makes him unique”, Real coach Zinedine Zidane said.

“I am very happy for the goals and for reaching 400 goals with Real Madrid”, said Ronaldo, including the disputed effort.

Ronaldo completed his hat-trick for the second successive Champions League fixture when he swept in Lucas Vazquez’s cut-back on 86 minutes.

Yet the prospect of a La Liga-Champions League double was also on his mind with his side now lying in second place in the Spanish title race on the same number of points as Barcelona but with a game in hand.

Ronaldo added: ‘But I didn’t interfere’. The Ronaldo’s opponent, who played their semi-final UEFA Champions League to close in on a third final in four years.

“I’ll try to give the best as always”.

“I don’t think we have been making it too easy for our opponents, but it’s true that we have been letting in goals”.

Atletico’s mighty defence was far from its best in the first leg of the semifinals against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

“We had a flawless game in which are objective was not to just attack”.

I’m very happy and it was a match full of emotions. It’s the result of the hard work the team have put in, that I have put in and all the people at the club and the fans, who always support us.

Cristiano furthered his lead as the all-time top scorer in the Madrid derby games by scoring his 400th goal, putting his team on a very firm course in defending their title in the final match on June 3 in Cardiff. In La Liga we did well, but [Atletico keeper Jan] Oblak made a lot of saves, and today the ball went in.

He said: “We will fight and give our all in the second leg”.

Yet the irrepressible Simeone has not given up hope of the most improbable of comebacks quite yet.

Benzema held the ball up from Diego Godin at the edge of the Atletico penalty area before laying it off towards Ronaldo. “I’ve prepared myself to be in great shape in the final stages of the Spanish league and the Champions League”.