Champions League Power Rankings: PSG shine in matchweek 1
By James Dudko
24. APOEL Nicosia
Somebody was going to be on the receiving end the minute Cristiano Ronaldo stepped back onto a football pitch. It turned out to be Apoel Nicosia, as the Cypriot side was hammered by Ronaldo and holders Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.
The visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium simply had no idea what to do with Ronaldo. Predictably, the prolific No. 7 made them pay by scoring twice.
A goal from Los Blancos skipper and center-back Sergio Ramos wrapped up a 3-0 rout just after the hour mark. The final score was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Apoel in Group H.
Not only is a return date with Los Merengues in their future. The men from Cyprus will also have to contend with Dortmund and Tottenham.
It’s a nightmare draw, one too daunting for a side lacking in the quality needed to make any progress.