Half-Time Report: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Real Madrid… Di Maria hunts former club, nets brace

Angel Di Maria took his chances well for the goals, and made sure he celebrated them like a spurned lover in the first half as PSG lead Real in the Champions League.

The Parc de Princes crowd, and the viewing millions, have had plenty of action to keep them occupied. Neither team has sat back – whether by design or conscious ability

The Argentine opened the scoring on the 14th minute beating Courtois at his near post after some good play with Bernat.

He then got his second after good play between Marquinhos and Gueye, the latter setting the ball nicely to be struck after a touch and it flew past Courtois.

Real though they halved the deficit when Bale cooly chipped Navas but it was ruled out for handball.

Much was made of the visiting frontline of Bale, Benzema and Hazard. It’s fair to say that they have had their moments, with mention too to James in a supporting role, but Zidane will hope to get them on the ball more in the second half.

Photo Credit: Twitter @en.psg.fr

Half-Time Report: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Juventus… Diego Costa terrorizes Bonucci, De Ligt

No glaring opportunities for either side as Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Madrid leading the Juventus attack as they begin their latest quest for Champions League glory.

Both defences are well organised in the own defensive third, both attack a little off it in the final third for their respective sides.

Joao Felix forced a stretching save from Wojciech Szczesny, who also denied Jose Gimenez’s header.

Los Rojiblanco were the better of the two sides at the Wanda Metropolitano as Diego Costa, typically, has been a nuisance for Leonardo Bonucci and Matthijs de Ligt.

Altetico’s best opportunities are arriving when they use the flanks. Kieran Trippier with plenty of room down the right.

Photo Credit: Twitter @en.atleticodemadrid.com

Ross Barkley reveals what Jorginho told him before taking penalty against Valencia

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley has revealed what Jorghinho said to him before he missed his penalty in the Champions League match against Valencia.

The penalty descended into a farce as Barkley, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, was forced to fight off team-mates Willian and Jorginho to take the all-important kick.

Jorginho accepted the decision, but the same can’t be said about Willian who instead seemed to ramp up the pressure by appearing to insist that he take the penalty.

Barkley said: “They were just encouraging me, encouraging me to score the goal.

“They are confident of taking penalties as well but I take penalties every day, I don’t miss them in training and in pre-season I was scoring penalties.

“It was more: ‘Good luck with the penalty’ type of thing, encouraging me. They would have been willing to take it as well but I felt confident.”

The London club surrendered the three points at stake via a 0-1 loss to the La Liga club.

Photo Credit: Sky Sports