Cristiano Ronaldo hit a huge career milestone, but that's just one of the highlights of a dramatic evening of Champions League football.
Real Madrid are good but still rely on one man
Madrid were good against Malmo. Simply put they did enough to see off a lesser side who, for a good half an hour in the second half, had their visitors rattled. And who did Madrid turn to when the going got tough? Well of course it was the record-breaking man himself Cristiano Ronaldo, who took his goal tally to 501 career goals and, in doing so, equalled Raul on 323 Real Madrid goals.
What will worry coach Rafa Benitez is that without Karim Benzema looking sharp and Gareth Bale or James Rodriguez fit, they relied on Ronaldo to get them out of trouble with some more of his magic. If Ronaldo gets injured or loses his form, that could be a real problem for Real. Put simply Ronaldo is still the main man.
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal his teammates Spanish defender Nacho (L) and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (R) during the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group A football match between Malmo FF - AFP
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Alvaro Morata is getting better and better
Real Madrid’s decision to sanction the sale of Alvaro Morata becomes more baffling by the goal. He again was instrumental in Juventus’ 2-0 win over Sevilla as the Old Lady made it six points from six in Europe this season. Having faced City away – where Morata scored – Juve will now fancy their chances of topping Group D and that is in no small part due to Morata. It is not a stretch to say that he is developing into one of the best forwards in world football.
Alvaro Morata buteur avec la Juventus contre Séville - AFP
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Perseverance sometimes pays off
Chris Smalling has taken longer than most to settle, but finally, in his sixth season at Old Trafford, we are getting to see what all the fuss was about. Giving extra responsibility sometimes gives players that boost, and Smalling is proof that sometimes, making a player the focal point brings out the best in them.
Lack of investment in the summer left United fans wondering how on earth they were going to cope with the error-prone duo of Phil Jones and Smalling at the heart of the United defence, but after another solid display from Smalling against a talented Wolfsburg side, maybe the United hierarchy were right to put their faith in the England centre-back. Could he now step up for his country too?
Manchester United's Chris Smalling (second right) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring his side's second goal against Wolfsburg - PA Sport
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Manchester City are still worrying naive
The English Premier League is dangerously close to become the laughing stock of Europe. The league’s transfer spending is unprecedented and yet the top clubs consistently fail to deliver top-class performances against Europe’s finest. City have been the prime example over the last few years and, in the 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, Manuel Pellegrini’s side did little to dispel the myth that the Premier League is all about gung-ho, tactically immature football.
There was no structure to City’s play, no clear tactical direction and no obvious team style in possession. The star quality of the City mega-signings just about got them through the game in the end, but City’s continuing tactical naivety is inexcusable for a club with such an unending supply of resources at its disposal.
Manchester City's Belgian forward Kevin De Bruyne (L) and Joe Hart celebrate after the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group D football match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City in Monchengladbach, western Germany on September 30, 2015 - AFP
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Underestimate Portuguese clubs at your peril
Porto’s win against an out-of-sorts Chelsea on Tuesday night was impressive enough but Benfica’s come-from-behind win against Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon was even more notable. Let’s make no bones about it: this was the result of the night. To win there is a task in itself but to do so after going a goal down is something else. Benfica sit on top of Group C with a double header against Galatasaray on the horizon – win those and they are more or less in the last 16.
Porto are second in Group G and again if they win their upcoming double header against Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC then they will be on 11 points and will have one foot in the last 16 also. The big sides will want to avoid these two dark horses in the knockout stages.
Benfica players applaud their supporters at the end of the UEFA Champions League football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs SL Benfica at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on September 30, 2015
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