Juventus 0-3 Real Madrid: 3 key battles that decided the game

In what many predicted to be a very close encounter, Real Madrid came out with a strong statement for being the team to beat as they stormed their way to a 0-3 win away from home against Juventus.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored yet again (twice) in the UEFA Champions League to take his tally to 14 goals in 9 games this season - having scored in every single one of them. The hosts were threatening to score after conceding early, but a wonder goal from the Portuguese and a red-card to Dybala took things away from their grasp.

As usual, there were some individual battles that went a long way in deciding the tie. Here's a look at 3 key battles that had a say on the result:

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Giorgio Chiellini

Cristiano Ronaldo's acrobatic finish received applause from even the home crowd

While it is debatable if Cristiano Ronaldo is a better footballer than Lionel Messi, it is hardly an argument when it comes to goal-scoring.

His appetite for scoring goals is truly remarkable, and it was evident from every minute of the game. Every time the ball went to the Juventus half of the pitch, Ronaldo was guaranteed to be in its vicinity.

While the first goal was a classic poacher's finish, the second one will definitely go down in history as one of the goals to remember in the Champions League. After a poor start to the season, Ronaldo is finally coming into his groove and a strong finish will give him an important boost for the Ballon d'Or.

After an outstanding game against Tottenham last month, Chiellini had a game to forget this time around. His mix-up with Buffon was vital to the second goal despite Buffon pulling off an excellent save off Lucas Vazquez, and thank god for that.

If Juventus have an inclination to pull off an upset in the second leg, this battle will once again be the most important one.

#2 Marcelo vs Mattia de Sciglio

Marcelo shifted to a more attacking play after the red card incident

For the first time in forever, Marcelo stuck to his game as a defender instead of an attacker and was ironically gifted with a goal.

Madrid fans are used to seeing Marcelo bomb into the opposition half through the left flank, but it was a quiet game on the attacking front by his standards. What Marcelo chose to do instead was stick to his position and mark Douglas Costa.

Despite Costa pulling off one or two miracle runs, he was kept mostly quiet by his compatriot. Once Dybala lost the plot and was sent off, Marcelo was given the license to play his natural game and found himself at the receiving end of a teasing ball from Ronaldo.

De Sciglio's marking was at fault for the first goal as well, as he let Isco into the box quite easily - something no defender should ever do. A tighter clasp on Marcelo could have prevented the third goal, but being a man down it was always going to be hard to defend, especially against a team like Real Madrid.

#3 Sergio Ramos vs Paulo Dybala

Ramos and Dybala will both miss the second leg fixture at the Bernabeu

Sergio Ramos put in an excellent shift at centre-back but his Real Madrid will sorely miss his services during the second leg thanks to a yellow card, which he received for a foul on Paulo Dybala.

As soon as Madrid opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, Juventus took control of the game and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored. Dybala got the first chance to equalise after a one-two with Higuain but his shot was blocked by Ramos.

In his quest to get back a goal, Dybala received a yellow card for diving and then another one for a high-boot tackle on Daniel Carvajal, thereby not being eligible for the second leg. The Argentine was largely kept quiet by the Madrid defence, especially Ramos who matched him every step of the way.

Ramos will have to sit out the second leg and will leave the Madrid defence vulnerable and it is what Juventus have to exploit if they want to continue their run in the tournament.