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No Ronaldo, no goals: Real Madrid blanked for just 3rd time in 23 matches

Reuters

Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first-leg stalemate at the Etihad Stadium between Manchester City and Real Madrid was a drab affair that also marked an unusual experience for Zinedine Zidane's lot.

For only the third time in 23 matches in all competitions in the calendar year, Real failed to score a goal.

The last time Los Blancos were held off the scoresheet was a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Wolfsburg on April 6.

Tuesday's goalless draw, played without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighted how important a healthy Ronaldo and a fully fit Karim Benzema are to the club.

The stately Portuguese international has scored 31 times in the league this season - good enough for second-best to Luis Suarez's 34 - and tops the Champions League ranks with 16 tallies. Suarez is second with eight.

Here's a look at the matches Real Madrid has failed to score in this season:

Date Comp. Opp. Result
Feb. 27 La Liga Atletico 0-1 L
Apr. 6 CL @ Wolfsburg 2-0 L
Apr. 26 CL @ Man City 0-0 D

Over 23 matches this year, Real outscored its opponents 64-17. Ronaldo was responsible for 22 of those goals, meaning he scored five more times than all his foes combined.

For Real supporters, Ronaldo's return cannot come soon enough.

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