All clear at Alaba after goal and injury

Ironically, before the Champions League semi-final first leg at Manchester City on Tuesday, the 29-year-old from Vienna was suffering from adductor problems.

“His injury doesn’t seem to be serious, so we didn’t want to take any risks,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti gave the all-clear. In terms of sport, things are going according to plan for the “Royals”: Real is very close to winning their 35th championship title. And that despite the fact that top scorer Karim Benzema had afforded the luxury of giving away two penalties in Pamplona. “If there had been a third, he would have shot that one too. And he’ll shoot our next one too,” said Ancelotti, who trusts his striker blindly.