It was a fantastic night of brilliant football last Wednesday, April 30, 2014 and Cristiano Ronaldo further demonstrated why he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or last January as Real Madrid beat Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final; Real Madrid is one step closer to the Champions League Final.
Real Madrid's last final appearance was in 2002 and after an era of the first Galacticos with the likes of Zinadine Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Ronaldo, and Luis Figo; their Champions League quarter final curse and 2nd Galacticos, in which Cristiano Ronaldo is a part of, with Kaka, Benzema, and recently Gareth Bale.
Real Madrid may finally bag their 10th Champion League trophy, which fans are referring to as "La Decima", if they keep on playing like this in Lisbon.
Winning with an aggregate score of 5-0 in the Champions League semi final is not unheard of, but doing so while thrashing the current cup holders is fantastic; add to the fact the Bayern Munich is coached by no other than Pep Guardiola, formerly of Barcelona, it was a sweet night for Ronaldo and company to finally beat a team with his football philosophy, a feat that Real Madrid was unable to do under coaches Manuel Pellegrini and the "Special One" Jose Mourinho.
Current Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti brought back the classic counter attacking Real Madrid football fans have been accustom to and with that also added a defensive patience. It paid dividends with Real Madrid dominating both legs of the Semi-Final; Cristiano Ronaldo can finally set his demons aside when they face their Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.
Having lost to the 2009 Champion League final to Pep Guardilola's Barcelona when he was still with Manchester United must still leave a sour taste in his mouth, he has the chance to redeem himself and bag a historic 10th title for Real Madrid.
Sources:
SBS
DailyMail UK
ESPN