UEFA Champions League 2016/17, Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points

#3. Cometh the hour, cometh the man

In an age of numbers, let’s go by the statistics first –

- 100% take-ons- 92% pass accuracy- 8 shots- 2 chances created- 2 aerial duels won- 2 goals

That’s what Cristiano Ronaldo’s game looked like in tangible terms. But it was so much more than that.

Sure, the numbers are important – and do highlight just how effective the Portuguese superstar was today (as that stat about him being the first player in history to score 100 goals in European [UEFA] club competition underlines his all-time greatness). He was immense in the air, his passing was neat and accurate and his two finishes were sublime – the first an expertly taken first-time volley and the other a snapshot, a brilliant stab that Neuer just couldn’t keep out. When the going gets tough, the tough really do get going. He was utterly sublime today.

But most importantly he was selfless, a team player through and through. For me, the statistic that most stands out is this one – 2 blocks (in the opening quarter of an hour). When Arjen Robben was doing what Arjen Robben does and tormenting Marcelo – Ronaldo stuck to his task and tracked back to ensure Philip Lahm couldn’t get those deceptively dangerous deliveries of his in. He put in two superb blocks to deny Bayern’s captain the chance to cross and as long as it was 11 v 11, he ensured that Lahm never had a free run on the right wing.

They needed him defensively, and they need him offensively. He delivered at both ends.

Magnifique.