European champions News
Zidane became the first coach to win a third straight European Cup when Real beat Liverpool 3-1 on Saturday, capping a remarkable period in his first job in senior club management.
Worryingly for Zidane, Madrid`s lacklustre display in midweek came about despite the fact he picked almost a full strength side.
Madrid, hadn`t lost in a Spanish record 40 games stretching back to April last year before conceding twice to lose 2-1 at Sevilla.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos produced another moment of late drama by powering home a stoppage time winner to beat Deportivo la Coruna 3-2 as the European champions set a new club record of 35 games without defeat in all competitions.
Portugal`s sports press hailed the team with headlines including "Epic", "Eternal" and "Pride of Portugal".
The Spanish giants welcomed back Messi after a bout of kidney stones and the mercurial Argentine scored with a clinical finish on 36 minutes, before a lethal Luis Suarez double destroyed River's hopes.
Expressing his admiration for reigning European champions FC Barcelona, football legend Pele has said the Catalan giants come closest to the style of the World Cup winning Brazilian teams of his generation.
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