'R' factor will be crucial in UEFA Champions League

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United

It is the beginning of another season of UEFA Champions League and the world could not have asked for a better start to the season.

Even though all the matches of the night make a case to be on this article, there were two matches that stood out.

In one corner we had the kings of England, Manchester United taking on the German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen, while on the other side we had Spanish giants Real Madrid taking on the Turkish elite Galatasaray.

The spotlight, along with these matches, fell on two former teammates, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wayne Rooney, who had a big decision to make during the transfer window, chose to stay at Manchester United and the fans will be delighted about this decision after witnessing his performance against Leverkusen. Rooney looked impressive right from the start and was in the right area at the right time.

He was rewarded for the same in the 22nd minute of the first half, when he beautifully volleyed in the cross from Patrice Evra into the back of the net. And that was not the end of show by Wayne Rooney, as in the 70th minute, he took advantage of a messed up header by Spahic and tapped the ball inside the far post.

In the 79th minute, Rooney again rose from the ashes to find Valencia, who smashed the ball in the back of the net. Therefore, a brace from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United grab three crucial points on the opening night of the Champions League 2013/14.

However, Rooney was not the only one whose name starts with the alphabet ‘R’ to make waves on the night.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best in the world, did the same for Real Madrid. Ronaldo, after recently putting pen to paper on a new contract which will see him stay at Madrid for next five more years, was the crux of his side’s attacking play.

He looked sharp and fit as usual and was determined to score, which he eventually did. He began his goal scoring wrath in the 63rd minute as Di Maria sent a cross to the back post which Isco headed back inside for the ball to fall kindly to Ronaldo, who blasted it home with relative ease.

In the 66th minute, new signing Gareth Bale whipped in a free kick, which was headed by Sergio Ramos towards the keeper, only for him to save the shot and send the ball towards Ronaldo to score. And that was not all from the Portuguese as in the 91st minute, Ronaldo left Chedjou and Inan for dead inside the box with some signature step overs before smashing in an unstoppable strike into the top right corner. His hattrick played a major part in demolition of Galatasaray.

After such tremendous displays by the two forwards, it could be very likely that ‘R’ becomes the letter to fear in this season’s Champions League.