The system, featuring three centre backs and aggressive wing backs, marked a significant departure from the traditional 4-3-3 formation and appeared to address Real's defensive frailties from a disappointing, trophyless 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking to reporters on the way in to the stadium, the president of the Portuguese parliament Jose Aguiar Branco said the country would honour the pair for their contribution to the sport.
It took 10 Premier League games for the first cracks to appear in Manchester City's facade last season, but Pep Guardiola got a much earlier reminder of his side's fall from grace on Saturday in another defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday
Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
A summary of Saturday's action in the Premier League.
IMAGES from UEFA Champions League matches played on Tuesday
Pictures of the meet were splashed across social media as Indian captain Shubman Gill looked like a happy chappy meeting United captain Bruno Fernandes.
IMAGES from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday
Xavi, it is learnt, "sent an email from his own account" to apply for the post.
Jamil will succeed Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India's recent struggles.
Three shortlisted for Indian football team's coach role; Constantine, Jamil in the mix
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Liverpool were drawn on Thursday to face champions Real Madrid when they return to the Champions League, which has been expanded to a 36-team league format.
Arjun Patolia, 36, came from London to his ancestral village Vadiya in Amreli district to immerse Bharati's ashes in the Narmada, as per her last wish.
Arsenal's title hopes hit with 2-0 loss to Villa as Man City get boost
The other semi-final will see an Italian side, Milan or Roma, come up against Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham.
Liverpool draw Sparta Prague in Europa League last 16
Former Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he has no immediate plans to return to management.
Liverpool hammered Sparta Prague 6-1 on Thursday to storm into the Europa League quarter-finals 11-2 on aggregate.
Colombian super-sub Jhon Duran scored two late goals as Aston Villa salvaged a 3-3 home draw with Liverpool.
On August 16, 1980, the Kolkata football derby between arch rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, played at the Eden Gardens (there was no Salt Lake Stadium then) witnessed a massive clash between the supporters of two teams, leading to 16 deaths.
Mohamed Salah scored a late equaliser from a penalty kick as Liverpool escaped Old Trafford with a single point in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United to climb to even on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is in contention to start against Southampton this weekend, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday after the Norwegian striker recovered from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for nearly six weeks.
Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure were also shown red cards after the game, and the final whistle sparked a scuffle between both sets of players.
An early penalty by Alexis Mac Allister and a Darwin Nunez brace helped Liverpool to thrash Sparta Prague 5-1.
IMAGES from the Premier League match played between Liverpool and Luton at Anfield on Wednesday
Spain cruised to a 3-1 win over Italy on Friday that sees both sides through to the knock-out stages at the Women's Euros, with the Spaniards topping Group B to set up a showdown with hosts Switzerland, while the second-placed Italians will meet Group A winners Norway.
Brighton secured their second victory of the competition with a comfortable win at Ajax thanks to goals from Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra.
Twenty-year-old Conor Bradley scored his first goal for Liverpool and claimed two assists as Juergen Klopp's team moved five points clear at the top
According to Wisden, the tournament is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Premier League structure.
The two teams had numerous chances in the first 90 minutes.
Newcastle United registered a 2-0 home win over Chelsea on Sunday that moves the Magpies a step closer to Champions League football next season.
Summary of the Europa League semi-final matches played on Thursday.
'...So that tells you the resilience, resources, the ambition the team has.'
Paris St Germain teenager Desire Doue, who was not even guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup, burst into instant stardom when he lit up the Champions League final as they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 on Saturday.
n own goal by Jakub Kiwior and a thumping late strike by Luis Diaz sealed a 2-0 victory for Liverpool at Arsenal
A summary of Monday's action at the Women's Euros between Spain-Belgium and Portugal-Italy.
'It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy.'
Salah's sublime second-half strike leaves Liverpool on 67 points, three ahead of second-placed Arsenal and four ahead of City on a pivotal day in the title race.
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