Real Madrid begin Champions League defence by easing to win over Roma — theguardian.com

It was just one night in Madrid but at the end of it, Real’s fans left the Bernabéu wondering if this side might be better than the one that won three European Cups in a row. Zinedine Zidane has gone, Cristiano Ronaldo has gone too, sent off 400km away in Valencia, but the rest of that team remain. It may even have been reborn; it has certainly been redefined and perhaps no one looks set to benefit quite like Gareth Bale, withdrawn to a standing ovation here. At the final whistle, that applause was extended to everyone.

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