Real dispatches giant killers, now it’s Barça’s turn

Real Madrid dispatched giant killers Basel last night, now it’s Barça’s turn to do the same against Apoel Nicosia.

Basel have a reputation as being giant killers and Real Madrid were right to be wary of the team that has many a top club’s scalp under their belt. last night was different as Real Madrid cruised to a victorious 5-1 drubbing of the Swiss team.

It turned sour for Basle within 14 minutes of play when Suchy put the ball into his own net.Then came a hat trick of goals that was started by Gareth Bale, then Ronaldo and finished by new boy James Rodríguez all within 6 minutes of each other. Derlis González then made it 4-1 and got the Swiss team on the scoreboard before half time.

This was an emphatic win for the current champions and a warning to other teams that Real Madrid aren’t going along for the ride. They imposed their will from the get go and dominated the game with clinical fashion.

FC Barcelona come up against Apoel Nicosia tonight and will be Luis Enrique’s first test in the Champions league as Barça’s manager.However, it’s not the first time the manager has been in charge of a team in the Champions League. Three years ago he fell at the first hurdle when managing Serie A giants A.S Roma. His team was knocked out by Slovan de Bratislava in the play-offs. That defeat marked the start of a disappointing season and his falling out with Roma legend and captain Francesco Totti.

Luis Enrique then took it upon himself to leave Totti out of the match played in Slovakia and Roma lost by a goal to nil. In the second leg, when Roma were leading one nil, he took Totti off and Slovan equalised. Therefore, Luis Enrique has a score to settle and prove that he can “cut it” in the Champions League.