Federico Valverde proved to be the ultimate hero from the bench as Real Madrid secured a dramatic Champions League comeback against AEK Athens. The captain fired home a spectacular long-range winner to seal the victory after his side had fallen behind in a tightly contested European clash.
Jose Mourinho believes only Real Madrid could have won the way they did against AEK Athens, after his side came from behind to snatch a dramatic stoppage-time victory in Greece. The coach also defended Vinicius Junior over Yan Diomande's switch to the right and admitted the penalty Kylian Mbappe won at Racing Santander was a soft one, though he insisted it changed nothing.
Real Madrid maintained their perfect European record with a thrilling 3-2 victory over AEK Athens in a match defined by tactical shifts and individual brilliance. Despite trailing twice, the Spanish giants displayed their trademark resilience to snatch all three points at the death.
Manchester United are bracing themselves for the loss of JJ Gabriel after the 16-year-old reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid in January. Paul Merson believes the Red Devils will be devastated to see one of Europe's brightest young talents leave Old Trafford, and has called for the rules that allowed the teenager to move abroad to be changed.