Real Madrid didn't need a comeback in Paris on Saturday night, but it wasn't too far from it. Outplayed for most parts, Real Madrid once again showed the determination to hang on.
This backs-to-the-wall grit has been the overriding theme of Real through the season, the defining wins against PSG, Chelsea, Man City (in Champions League) and Sevilla (in La Liga) all coming from almost hopeless situations. But beyond the on-field heroics, there were offfield issues which the club had to confront which might have helped galvanize the outfit. And it started as early as the beginning of the season.
