For those of you who followed us in and backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League in September, this game represents a chance to ensure a profit by siding with City in some shape or form.
However, even for those without an interest ahead of kick-off, there look reasons to side with the visitors.
Real looked far from their best last week in the goalless draw at the Etihad, a game in which they were without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the Portuguese’s fitness record an impressive one, they aren’t used to playing without him – and it showed – while they also needed a late goal to win in La Liga at the weekend after struggling for much of the game.
He’s due back – boss Zinedene Zidane is insisting his star man is 100 per cent fit – although that’s a comment which you’d imagine must be sugar-coated, at least to some extent.
It was only two weeks ago that Ronaldo tweaked a hamstring and that has to be a worry for potential backers of the hosts. This is Real’s biggest game of the season so far and there must be a chance he’s been rushed back when in other circumstances he simply wouldn’t have been risked.
It may be stating the obvious, but while far from a one-man team, last week showed Real are a much more fearsome opponent with him in their line-up than without.
Even if Ronaldo does play, as looks likely, Real will still be forced into two changes from their first-leg XI with both Karim Benzema (hamstring) and Casemiro (hip) having suffered injuries.
However, even for those without an interest ahead of kick-off, there look reasons to side with the visitors.
Real looked far from their best last week in the goalless draw at the Etihad, a game in which they were without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the Portuguese’s fitness record an impressive one, they aren’t used to playing without him – and it showed – while they also needed a late goal to win in La Liga at the weekend after struggling for much of the game.
He’s due back – boss Zinedene Zidane is insisting his star man is 100 per cent fit – although that’s a comment which you’d imagine must be sugar-coated, at least to some extent.
It was only two weeks ago that Ronaldo tweaked a hamstring and that has to be a worry for potential backers of the hosts. This is Real’s biggest game of the season so far and there must be a chance he’s been rushed back when in other circumstances he simply wouldn’t have been risked.
It may be stating the obvious, but while far from a one-man team, last week showed Real are a much more fearsome opponent with him in their line-up than without.
Even if Ronaldo does play, as looks likely, Real will still be forced into two changes from their first-leg XI with both Karim Benzema (hamstring) and Casemiro (hip) having suffered injuries.
Mar 3, 2016- Nepal Wrestling Association is to organise an international wrestling competition in Kathmandu.
At a press conference organised by the Association here Thursday, President of the Association Sunita Thapa shared that the Competition will be held on April 16 at Dasarath Stadium premises at Tripureshwor.
Participants from 13 countries, including Hong Kong, the USA, China and Japan, among others, are taking part in the competition, according to Association President Thapa.
The Association, which is registered as the 157th national association in the National Sports Council, aims to promote this game in view of its growing popularity, Thapa shared.
The first female wrestling judge of Nepal, Sunita Thapa, will be officiating matches in the competition. RSS
At a press conference organised by the Association here Thursday, President of the Association Sunita Thapa shared that the Competition will be held on April 16 at Dasarath Stadium premises at Tripureshwor.
Participants from 13 countries, including Hong Kong, the USA, China and Japan, among others, are taking part in the competition, according to Association President Thapa.
The Association, which is registered as the 157th national association in the National Sports Council, aims to promote this game in view of its growing popularity, Thapa shared.
The first female wrestling judge of Nepal, Sunita Thapa, will be officiating matches in the competition. RSS
Sometimes the fight is over in the blink of an eye!
Perhaps even more so than boxing, fights in MMA can be over in mere seconds, creating the old “distracted for a moment so I missed the finish” scenario. The finish itself may take place in the blink of an eye, as half the time is spent with fighters heading to meet each other in the centre of the cage.
It should come as no surprise, as mixed martial arts is an explosive sport, and if you’re fast out of the gate, you can often rush and surprise an opponent before he or she knows what has happened. Think of the Korean Superboy’s eighteen second knockout at UFC Fight Night 57. Think of Ronda Rousey’s sixteen second technical knockout of Alexis Davis at UFC 175 this past summer. Pretty quick, especially at the top level of the sport, right?
Think sixteen seconds is fast? Well, that finish didn’t even make the top ten! There are much faster stoppages than that, some so quick that a review of the official fight clock was required.
Fast finishes don’t always mean good fights – in fact many of the best fights are drawn out brawls and technical clinics – but there’s still something special about a match that simply goes off like a firework, in a short but raucous explosion.
With that in mind, don’t blink as we count down the ten fastest UFC knockouts of all time!
Perhaps even more so than boxing, fights in MMA can be over in mere seconds, creating the old “distracted for a moment so I missed the finish” scenario. The finish itself may take place in the blink of an eye, as half the time is spent with fighters heading to meet each other in the centre of the cage.
It should come as no surprise, as mixed martial arts is an explosive sport, and if you’re fast out of the gate, you can often rush and surprise an opponent before he or she knows what has happened. Think of the Korean Superboy’s eighteen second knockout at UFC Fight Night 57. Think of Ronda Rousey’s sixteen second technical knockout of Alexis Davis at UFC 175 this past summer. Pretty quick, especially at the top level of the sport, right?
Think sixteen seconds is fast? Well, that finish didn’t even make the top ten! There are much faster stoppages than that, some so quick that a review of the official fight clock was required.
Fast finishes don’t always mean good fights – in fact many of the best fights are drawn out brawls and technical clinics – but there’s still something special about a match that simply goes off like a firework, in a short but raucous explosion.
With that in mind, don’t blink as we count down the ten fastest UFC knockouts of all time!
Born on February 5, 1992, in São Paulo, Brazil, Lionel Messi drew attention for his impressive soccer abilities at an early age. He emerged as a star for Santos FC as a teenager, winning four straight Player of the Year awards while becoming one of Brazil’s most popular public figures. In May 2013, the gifted youngster announced his move to Europe to play for Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona.
Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil. The son of a former professional soccer player, Neymar followed in his father’s footsteps by playing street games and futsal, an indoor version of the game. He joined the Portuguesa Santista youth club in 1999, and within a few years was one of the most highly regarded young talents in the country.Neymar joined the youth system of Santos FC at age 11. News of his abilities spread to Europe, and he was offered the chance to continue his development with Real Madrid C.F. at age 14, but the Santos team’s management reportedly convinced Neymar to stay put with a large bonus.
Neymar made his senior debut for Santos in 2009 and lived up to the hype by earning the league’s Best Young Player award. He emerged as a full-blown star in 2010, helping Santos claim the league and Copa do Brasil championships en route to the first of three straight scoring titles and four straight Player of the Year awards. That season he also made his debut for the senior national team and debuted a Mohawk-style haircut, which quickly became popular among younger fans.
Born on February 5, 1992, in São Paulo, Brazil, Neymar drew attention for his impressive soccer abilities at an early age. He emerged as a star for Santos FC as a teenager, winning four straight Player of the Year awards while becoming one of Brazil’s most popular public figures. In May 2013, the gifted youngster announced his move to Europe to play for Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona.
Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil. The son of a former professional soccer player, Neymar followed in his father’s footsteps by playing street games and futsal, an indoor version of the game. He joined the Portuguesa Santista youth club in 1999, and within a few years was one of the most highly regarded young talents in the country.Neymar joined the youth system of Santos FC at age 11. News of his abilities spread to Europe, and he was offered the chance to continue his development with Real Madrid C.F. at age 14, but the Santos team’s management reportedly convinced Neymar to stay put with a large bonus.
Neymar made his senior debut for Santos in 2009 and lived up to the hype by earning the league’s Best Young Player award. He emerged as a full-blown star in 2010, helping Santos claim the league and Copa do Brasil championships en route to the first of three straight scoring titles and four straight Player of the Year awards. That season he also made his debut for the senior national team and debuted a Mohawk-style haircut, which quickly became popular among younger fans.
Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil. The son of a former professional soccer player, Neymar followed in his father’s footsteps by playing street games and futsal, an indoor version of the game. He joined the Portuguesa Santista youth club in 1999, and within a few years was one of the most highly regarded young talents in the country.Neymar joined the youth system of Santos FC at age 11. News of his abilities spread to Europe, and he was offered the chance to continue his development with Real Madrid C.F. at age 14, but the Santos team’s management reportedly convinced Neymar to stay put with a large bonus.
Neymar made his senior debut for Santos in 2009 and lived up to the hype by earning the league’s Best Young Player award. He emerged as a full-blown star in 2010, helping Santos claim the league and Copa do Brasil championships en route to the first of three straight scoring titles and four straight Player of the Year awards. That season he also made his debut for the senior national team and debuted a Mohawk-style haircut, which quickly became popular among younger fans.
Atletico Madrid prepare to upset the odds when they host Bayern Munich at Vicente Calderon in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal fixture on Wednesday night.
Atletico are in their third Champions League semis in three years, as in 2013/14 they knocked out Chelsea at the same stage to go into the final and eventually lose the title against arch rivals Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich are in the fifth consecutive semis and have reached the final twice and went on to win their last title in 2012/13 by beating domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund.Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich faced-off against each other only twice in the history of UEFA competitions. Both meetings came in the 1974 European Cup final at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, after Bayern grabbed a 120th equalizer to force a replay two days later. Bayern ran out comfortable winners by 4-0 in the replay, both Uli Hoeness and Gerd Muller scoring two each that time.
Atletico Madrid’s overall record against German oppositions in UEFA competitions out of the 34 matches played so far is 16 wins, 6 draws and 12 defeats. The home record in 16 matches is 11 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. They are also unbeaten in the last 7 matches against German oppositions, with 4 wins and 3 draws. Their last defeat came against Borussia Dortmund in the 1996/97 season.
Bayern Munich’s overall record against Spanish teams in 49 matches is 23 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses. They have only won once in their last 12 visits to Spain and their overall away record read 6 wins, 5 draws and 12 defeats from 23 matches.
Atletico are in their third Champions League semis in three years, as in 2013/14 they knocked out Chelsea at the same stage to go into the final and eventually lose the title against arch rivals Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich are in the fifth consecutive semis and have reached the final twice and went on to win their last title in 2012/13 by beating domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund.Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich faced-off against each other only twice in the history of UEFA competitions. Both meetings came in the 1974 European Cup final at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, after Bayern grabbed a 120th equalizer to force a replay two days later. Bayern ran out comfortable winners by 4-0 in the replay, both Uli Hoeness and Gerd Muller scoring two each that time.
Atletico Madrid’s overall record against German oppositions in UEFA competitions out of the 34 matches played so far is 16 wins, 6 draws and 12 defeats. The home record in 16 matches is 11 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. They are also unbeaten in the last 7 matches against German oppositions, with 4 wins and 3 draws. Their last defeat came against Borussia Dortmund in the 1996/97 season.
Bayern Munich’s overall record against Spanish teams in 49 matches is 23 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses. They have only won once in their last 12 visits to Spain and their overall away record read 6 wins, 5 draws and 12 defeats from 23 matches.