DORTMUND, Germany -- Three thoughts on Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.
1. Champions Madrid show true colors at Dortmund
The last time a Champions League game took place in Dortmund, it was that slightly surreal occasion against Monaco, a postponed game played the day after their team coach was attacked by a bomb. Against Real Madrid on Tuesday night things weren't so strange: in fact, they were as they ever were, as the holders ran out 3-1 winners over a Borussia Dortmund side who now face a battle to escape the group stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Gareth Bale got one, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulling one back for the home side. This was one of those games where Real showed why they have won this trophy three of the last four years: clinical, merciless and brilliant.
The game started at a frantic pace, both sides flying at each other like a couple of wolves who hadn't been fed in a few days. Dortmund had a cross cleared off the line, Real threatened through a brilliant Dani Carvajal run and a slightly misplaced Cristiano Ronaldo cross. Dortmund quite justifiably howled their grievances when Sergio Ramos briefly took on the role of a volleyball player and batted down a Maximilian Philipp cross with his hands; the referee thought for a while, consulted one of his assistants but ultimately turned down the appeals for a penalty. The ball might have been going in, too: so Dortmund missed out on a man advantage, a penalty and thus probably a goal.
Inevitably, Real took the lead shortly afterwards. Bale hasn't been in the best form of late and Zinedine Zidane has had to offer words of reassurance more than once, but his sensational first-time left-footed volley into the top-corner from a Carvajal cross was a lesson in how to combine control and power.
Dortmund broadly controlled possession for the rest of the half, but it was Real who had the better chances. It was a theme that spilled over into the second period, and it didn't take long for Real to double their lead. Bale again did fine work down the left, he crossed low and Ronaldo was there to sweep home a left-footed finished. It all looked alarmingly easy, but when it's Bale and Ronaldo the most extraordinary feats can seem straightforward. That was Ronaldo's 108th Champions League goal, and the 70th different match he's scored in.
Dortmund fans generally don't need an excuse to make themselves heard, but they were given cause to make some noise a few minutes later, when Aubameyang gave them hope. His volley with the outside of his foot after a cross from the left reminded you a little of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and it was just a shame that some of his earlier finishing wasn't of the same standard.
AP Photo/Michael Probst
Dortmund again chipped away, and Peter Bosz made all three of his substitutions in good time to try and haul them back into the game. But with 11 minutes remaining the game was done: Ronaldo was set free down the right side of the box, he was allowed time to pick his spot and then did so with stunning power and accuracy. That's the thing about this Real team: they can give you a scrap of hope, but then smack it out of your hand and stamp all over it.
Dortmund now have an uphill task. On zero points after two games while Real and Tottenham -- who beat APOEL 3-0 -- have six each. No more slip-ups allowed.
2. Bale back near his best
At various points this season it's almost seemed like Zinedine Zidane has been making excuses for Gareth Bale. His return to full strength after spending the back end of last season on the sidelines has been fairly deliberate, and he has looked nothing close to his best in the early weeks of the season.
There have been glimmers though: a quite brilliant, hamstring-busting run and delicate finish against Real Sociedad a few weeks ago suggested there was still life in those legs yet, and his performance in Dortmund gave further indication that he is indeed back.
The goal was one thing, a shot of feather-touched brutality, a brilliant piece of timing which showed you don't always have to absolutely lash the ball to get power behind it. But in his general play he excelled too, setting up Ronaldo's first and generally dovetailing very well with the Portuguese. Real's formation -- a midfield diamond with Ronaldo and Bale as a sort of partnership of false nines, relied on both men pulling wide to create space through the middle, and running into that space themselves. Bale did that well, and might have got himself another goal before he went off with what looked like cramp.
Bale could be coming into form at just the right time for Real: with their stuttering start to the season and the absence of Karim Benzema, they need all the forward help they can get. Bale, if he can stay healthy, might be able to provide it.
3. Dortmund defensive record exposed
Dortmund have been in brilliant form over the first few weeks of the Bundesliga, scoring 19 goals in their six games, and not conceding until the 66th minute of their sixth fixture, against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend.
But increasingly the Champions League is providing evidence that this opening salvo may have more to do with their domestic opposition than their own blistering quality, particularly on the defensive side. Bale's volley was a brilliant piece of technique, but he was given as much of the penalty area as he needed to line up the shot. Equally, Ronaldo was given an excess of space at the near-post to strike his first, and plenty of room to pick his spot for the second. Add this to the three they conceded against Tottenham in their first game of the competition, and their start to the campaign suddenly doesn't look so rosy.
Even apart from those goals, they looked shaky in defence: at one stage Sokratis Papastathopoulos lingered two yards behind the rest of his defence then frantically claimed offside, despite very clearly being the one playing Ronaldo on. A short time later the same defender backed off as if Ronaldo, running at an admittedly decent pace, was a train rather than a man in his 30s.
Ultimately it was a surprise that Dortmund kept Real to only three.
Source: espn.co.uk