Casemiro Saves Real Madrid

MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany: Zinedine Zidane insists Real Madrid deserve one point after Casemiro equalized late in the game as the Spanish giants bounced back from a 2-2 draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach, avoiding a fourth straight Champions League defeat. Champion.

Marcus Thuram’s two goals put the Gladbach squad on track to create a glorious victory until Real bounced back through goals from Karim Benzema and Casemiro – three minutes into extra time – to save points.

But Real remain at the bottom of Group B after a shock 3-2 defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in the opening match last week.

Zidane’s squad also lost both last 16th round games last season to Manchester City.

“For me, the result of this draw is not a relief, it is a decision that deserves us,” said Zidane.

“We fought against opponents who had given us a lot of trouble in the previous two or three races, but we did not panic and rose with the real character.

“If we play like that, we can do great things and we will win the match – that’s for sure.”

Shakhtar scored two points on the group stage after a goalless draw against Inter Milan in the Group B preliminary round.