Ronaldo squanders opportunity, Real helpless against PSG

CR7 missed at least three good chances in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in the goalless match in the Champions League group stage on the evening of October 21.

Real could only earn one point in Paris. Photo: Reuters

With the goal of finding a third consecutive victory in the group stage, Real Madrid continued to show their superiority over their opponents. Coach Rafa Benitez's team only had one problem and the biggest was bad luck in front of goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. Cristiano Ronaldo alone created three good chances with two close-range headers and a cross-angle shot. Marcelo and Toni Kroos were also unsuccessful with shots from outside the box.

The 0-0 draw leaves both teams tied at the top of Group A with seven points. Malmo are third, having picked up three points from a 1-0 win over Shakhtar in the other game.

The goalless draw against PSG not only maintained Real's unbeaten run from the beginning of the season but also showed how effective coach Benitez's defensive tactics are. Without Benzema and Bale, Benitez succeeded in turning Ronaldo into a spearhead to put pressure on the attack, while also building a "barrier" underneath to prevent the opponent from scoring. Throughout the match, apart from a few dribbles by Angel Di Maria and Javier Pastore, the Paris team had almost no situations that caused trouble for goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

PSG also played defense as well as Real's defense. However, in the face of high-class moves from Ronaldo and his teammates, the defenders led by Thiago Silva were still outwitted many times.

Real could have even scored early on with two long-range opportunities early in the game, with Marcelo and Kroos both sending their shots wide.

If the two players in the back line regretted missing one shot, Ronaldo must have regretted ten times more when he had two close-range header opportunities in the 34th and 35th minutes. Goalkeeper Trapp proved worthy of his starting position with two spectacular saves.

Trapp played excellently against Real.

The situation after the break was not much different from the first half. PSG improved the game but did not pose any danger to Real. Cavani and Ibra both looked lackluster, while Pastore and Lucas Moura's efforts only stopped at controlling the ball.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo continued to miss a good chance in the 72nd minute. This time he faced Trapp but his cross shot narrowly missed the post.

With the draw in Paris, the two teams will have to wait until the match in Madrid in two weeks to decide the top spot in the group stage. PSG then only need a goal-to-goal draw, while Real must win to decide their fate.

Former football star Ronaldo did not witness any goals in the PSG - Real match.

According to VNE