CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Shakhtar Donetsk 3-4 Real Madrid: Ronaldo wins the group

Real Madrid survived a stunning fightback by Shakhtar Donetsk to edge a 4-3 victory and finish top of Group A in the Champions League today.

The Blancos coach told reporters afterwards that, on balance, he was very happy to have been able to bounce back from the weekend and play so well for most of the game. “It’s November and there’s plenty of La Liga left”.

“I think Malmo should be glad to concede only four goals”.

The rapport between the “trident” was evident from the wide smiles on their faces as they celebrated each other’s goal, but Messi said the feeling of camaraderie extends beyond the superstar forward line, saying: “It’s not just the three of us – there is a great atmosphere in the whole team”. Then, in the last 20 minutes or so, Madrid attempted to undo all of the good work that they had done so far.

Rafa Benitez probably never imagined that Sunday’s match at Eibar would be a critical test for his coaching credentials at Real Madrid. “I respect everyone, but they have tried to play me for a fool and I can not defense the indefensible”, said Valbuena in the Le Monde newspaper over Benzema’s role in the case, which will saw the Madrid striker arrested in France at the start of this month.

Real Madrid pulled off a 3-4 win in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donestsk this Wednesday night, but the Merengues were forced to turn on their survival mode in the dying minutes of the game after nearly blowing up a 4-goal lead.

Madrid’s bitter rivals left the Santiago Bernabeu with all three points after a resounding 4-0 victory on Saturday, during which considerable discontent was voiced from the stands by the home supporters. However, he may have never had to put in less effort to score than in the first half against Shakhtar Donetsk in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League match.

It was United’s fourth goalless draw in their last seven matches and their lack of firepower could well cost them dear this season.

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal as Juventus leapfrogged Manchester City to the top of Group D with a 1-0 win in Turin.

Athletic Club Bilbao and Rayo face up in the latter’s Vallecas Stadium with Athletic looking to recapture the form they showed before the global break broke their stride. “I want to take away the positive aspects and we will analyze the mistakes we made”.

Luka Modric capped an impressive display with his first goal of the season for Madrid but Benitez refused to single out any one player for specific praise.