Cristiano Ronaldo targets Liverpool, Champions League’s scoring title
Cristiano Ronaldo needs one goal to match the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer when Real Madrid hosts Liverpool on Tuesday.
At the rate the forward is sweeping in goals, Ronaldo has a good chance to match and even break Raul Gonzalez’s mark of 71 goals in front of the same Santiago Bernabeu crowd that used to chant Raul’s name.
Madrid would qualify for the knockout rounds with a second straight win over Liverpool in Group B.
Here are some things to know about Tuesday’s matches:
Bale missed the win at Anfield two weeks ago, the Clasico victory against Barcelona and the wins against Levante and Granada. Ancelotti has to decide if he will recall the Welshman to the starting line-up or retain his replacement Francisco “Isco” Alarcon, who has won over fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with his work-rate.
Basel’s Best Diaz
Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz may return to Champions League duty for Basel when they host Ludogorets Razgrad.
Diaz was Basel’s outstanding representative at the World Cup where he impressed for Chile, but he was suspended for the earlier group matches when the Swiss team lost at Madrid and Ludogorets and beat Liverpool at home.
He was banned after being sent off in extra time of Basel’s 5-0 loss at Valencia in the Europa League quarter-finals, second leg in April.
including a penalty shootout loss to host Brazil in the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw.
Basel could turn to Diaz as another World Cup player, Ivory Coast’s Geoffroy Serey Die, is suspended.The Bulgarian champion has similar problems. Defender Yordan Minev, who scored the stoppage-time winning goal in Sofia, will miss Tuesday’s match for receiving yellow cards in all three group games.
While Ronaldo scored in his 12th straight game for Madrid in its win against Granada, Liverpool coach Rodgers was bemoaning his side’s lack of attacking impetus in its 1-0 loss at Newcastle.
“For the team to have confidence, it’s important that you look like you can score,” Rodgers said.
“But at the moment it’s not quite happening.”
Last season, Liverpool scored 101 league goals.
For a coach who describes himself as “creative and attacking”, the current drought comes at a bad time as Liverpool follow their trip to Spain with a home match against the Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
Pressure On Balotelli
With striker Daniel Sturridge still missing through injury, Rodgers will again turn to misfiring Italian Mario Balotelli or may replace him with Rickie Lambert.
The Santiago Bernabeu stadium could be just the stage to spur Balotelli, who has gone eight league games without a goal.
Balotelli ignited a spirited fightback by Liverpool against Swansea in the League Cup.
Criticized for a string of below-par appearances, Balotelli came off the substitutes’ bench to score an 86th-minute equalizer before Dejan Lovren headed the winner in the match.
“Finally!” Balotelli tweeted after scoring his first goal in six weeks and only his second for Liverpool since joining from AC Milan in August.
At the rate the forward is sweeping in goals, Ronaldo has a good chance to match and even break Raul Gonzalez’s mark of 71 goals in front of the same Santiago Bernabeu crowd that used to chant Raul’s name.
Madrid would qualify for the knockout rounds with a second straight win over Liverpool in Group B.
Here are some things to know about Tuesday’s matches:
Ronaldo Unbound
Ronaldo is doing his best to erase memories of Portugal’s poor showing at this year’s World Cup and boost his chances of winning a second consecutive Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo has scored in 12 straight appearances in all competitions for Madrid. His goal on Saturday at Granada made him the first Madrid player to score in eight consecutive Spanish league appearances. He leads the league with 17 goals and has 22 overall , including the one he scored last month to set Madrid on its way to a commanding 3-0 win at Liverpool.
Ronaldo will also have the extra motivation of not giving Lionel Messi the chance to reach Raul’s record first. Messi has 69 goals heading into Barcelona’s match at Ajax on Wednesday.
Liverpool will face a tough task with Madrid playing its best football since the arrival of coach Carlo Ancelotti last season.
“We are on a good run,” said former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa. “We have won 11 in a row and we want to make it 12 against Liverpool.”
The European champion has outscored opponents 46-7 during its winning streak and hasn’t lost at home in European competition since April, 2011, winning 16 of 18 home matches. Also in Group B, Basel hosts Ludogorets.
Ronaldo will also have the extra motivation of not giving Lionel Messi the chance to reach Raul’s record first. Messi has 69 goals heading into Barcelona’s match at Ajax on Wednesday.
Liverpool will face a tough task with Madrid playing its best football since the arrival of coach Carlo Ancelotti last season.
“We are on a good run,” said former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa. “We have won 11 in a row and we want to make it 12 against Liverpool.”
The European champion has outscored opponents 46-7 during its winning streak and hasn’t lost at home in European competition since April, 2011, winning 16 of 18 home matches. Also in Group B, Basel hosts Ludogorets.
Bale Is Back
Gareth Bale has returned to full training with Madrid’s squad and given Ancelotti an important additional attacking option. After four games sidelined through injury, the 25-year-old Wales forward showed his relief when he tweeted: “Feels good to be at the top of the table and back in training with the boys.”
Bale missed the win at Anfield two weeks ago, the Clasico victory against Barcelona and the wins against Levante and Granada. Ancelotti has to decide if he will recall the Welshman to the starting line-up or retain his replacement Francisco “Isco” Alarcon, who has won over fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium with his work-rate.
Basel’s Best Diaz
Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz may return to Champions League duty for Basel when they host Ludogorets Razgrad.
Diaz was Basel’s outstanding representative at the World Cup where he impressed for Chile, but he was suspended for the earlier group matches when the Swiss team lost at Madrid and Ludogorets and beat Liverpool at home.
He was banned after being sent off in extra time of Basel’s 5-0 loss at Valencia in the Europa League quarter-finals, second leg in April.
including a penalty shootout loss to host Brazil in the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw.
Basel could turn to Diaz as another World Cup player, Ivory Coast’s Geoffroy Serey Die, is suspended.The Bulgarian champion has similar problems. Defender Yordan Minev, who scored the stoppage-time winning goal in Sofia, will miss Tuesday’s match for receiving yellow cards in all three group games.
Liverpool’s Daunting Week
While Ronaldo scored in his 12th straight game for Madrid in its win against Granada, Liverpool coach Rodgers was bemoaning his side’s lack of attacking impetus in its 1-0 loss at Newcastle.
“For the team to have confidence, it’s important that you look like you can score,” Rodgers said.
“But at the moment it’s not quite happening.”
Last season, Liverpool scored 101 league goals.
For a coach who describes himself as “creative and attacking”, the current drought comes at a bad time as Liverpool follow their trip to Spain with a home match against the Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday.
Pressure On Balotelli
With striker Daniel Sturridge still missing through injury, Rodgers will again turn to misfiring Italian Mario Balotelli or may replace him with Rickie Lambert.
The Santiago Bernabeu stadium could be just the stage to spur Balotelli, who has gone eight league games without a goal.
Balotelli ignited a spirited fightback by Liverpool against Swansea in the League Cup.
Criticized for a string of below-par appearances, Balotelli came off the substitutes’ bench to score an 86th-minute equalizer before Dejan Lovren headed the winner in the match.
“Finally!” Balotelli tweeted after scoring his first goal in six weeks and only his second for Liverpool since joining from AC Milan in August.
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