CARDIFF, Wales -- Dynasties are cyclical. Right up until the 1990s, Real Madrid prided themselves on having won more European Cups (six) than any other club. While it is true, their rivals could always snort and cruelly point out that all of that happened "in black and white" -- meaning it was a long time ago, belonging to the age of sepia-tone newsreels. Indeed, 32 years passed between 1966 and 1998 when the club appeared in just one final (1981), which they lost.

But Real Madrid won it three times...

Bayern Munich won the battle 2-1 in 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, but lost the war 4-2 after extra time, suffering a bitter 6-3 aggregate defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid side.

After a goalless but highly entertaining first half, Carlo Ancelotti's side valiantly secured an extra half-hour with a 2-1 win in normal time to level the tie at 3-3 overall, courtesy of a penalty from Robert Lewandowski on 53 minutes and a slapstick Sergio Ramos own goal -- 102 seconds after Ronaldo...

When it comes to the Champions League, every pundit, critic and fan is often asked which team would win the tie overall. When it came to Juventus vs. Barcelona, many opined the Italians would win the home leg but could lose the overall tie -- such is the power of the Camp Nou.

Those who watch Juventus on a day to day basis were quick to point out the beauty of Massimiliano Allegri's side. Talented, balanced and defensively capable, the team is presided over by a coach renowned for his tactical...

"We're Bayern Munich, we know how to win." The self-confident statement comes from none other than Xabi Alonso, the former Real Madrid player who is playing the last season of his outstanding career after three years with the German club.

If anyone thought Real Madrid's 2-1 victory in Munich last Wednesday had an impact on Bayern's morale, Alonso's words emphatically suggest otherwise. Indeed, Bayern will come to the Santiago Bernabeu to fight for a place in the semifinals of the tournament.

Of...

Weeks and months go by and Kylian Mbappe keeps breaking record after record. If you haven't heard yet of the 18-year-old French prodigy, you must have just woken up from a long hibernation. On Wednesday, in Dortmund, the Paris-born striker wrote another incredible entry in his already fantastic 2017 diary.

His two goals, the first one from an offside position but a sensational second one considering his position, his age and at such a late stage in the game, made him the youngest ever player to...

And the run continues... For the fifth time in a row, Monaco have knocked out an English club in a European competition.

After Newcastle United (1997), Manchester United (1998), Chelsea (2004) and Arsenal (2015), it was Manchester City's turn to be eliminated on Wednesday at the Stade Louis II. And let's not forget that Tottenham Hotspur were also beaten twice in the group stages by the team from the Principality.

AS Monaco

Manchester City

3

1

FT

Leg 2Aggregate: 6 - 6AS Monaco wins on Away Goals

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City were left bruised by this incredible young side, the best offensive armada in...