Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/964110
maltatoday WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL 2018 Sport 23 FOOTBALL Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Cloudy with rain possibly thundery becoming partly to rather cloudy VISIBILITY: Good locally moderate in showers WIND: Southeast force 5 to 6 backing East Northeast force 4 to 5 and becoming force 2 to 3 overnight and gusty near storms SEA: Rough becoming moderate SWELL Negligible becoming low Southeast A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 20 º C /14 º C UV INDEX:7 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Across 1. Soaked (5) 3. Rascal (5) 6. Corrosion (4) 7. Person who robs (6) 9. Pilot (5) 10. Overdue (4) 11. Advanced in years (3) 13. Smack (4) 15. Cinder (5) 18. Thin layer of wood (6) 19. Rubber overshoe (4) 20. Motor truck (5) 21. Destitute (5) Down 1. Back of the neck (6) 2. Blowing in gusts (5) 3. Burn without flame (8) 4. Superior of a monastery (5) 5. Republic in W South America (4) 8. Prediction (8) 12. Attractive (6) 14. Person who prefers to be alone (5) 16. Alcoholic drink (5) 17. Wicked (4) Be6+ Ke8 Rg8# Zidane can't explain Real's Euro-dominance and domestic woes REAL Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was at a loss to explain why his side's disappointing La Liga campaign contrasts with their dominant displays in the Champions League ahead of their quarter-final second leg against Juventus. Real slipped down to fourth in the Liga standings and 15 points behind leaders Barce- lona following Sunday's draw with Atletico Madrid. However, they are on course to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for an eighth successive season as they enjoy a 3-0 lead in their tie with Juve. "I don't have an explanation. We always want to win every- thing but sometimes, like this year, we are not consistent," Zidane told a news conference yesterday ahead of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. "We had some difficult mo- ments, especially with scoring goals. We are much better in every aspect now, although I can't explain why." Double holders Real have won three of the last four editions of the Champions League but in that time have only managed to win one league title. "Winning the league makes me more excited, it's the most difficult competition and I also think it's what the play- ers want. But if you look at the club's record in the Champi- ons League you'll see no-one has achieved what we have," the Frenchman added. Real are without suspended captain Sergio Ramos and Na- cho Fernandez through injury and will have to field either inexperienced defender Jesus Vallejo or usual holding mid- fielder Casemiro alongside Rafael Varane in the heart of defence. Juventus, meanwhile, are without Argentine forward Paulo Dybala, who was sent off in Real's 3-0 win in Turin last week, and midfielder Rod- rigo Bentancur, who is also suspended, while veteran de- fender Andrea Barzagli is an injury doubt. "The result from the first leg changes nothing for us, tomorrow is another story, another game and we want to put in another great perfor- mance," said Zidane. Real defender Varane also dismissed any suggestions his side would play cautiously against the Serie A leaders. "It will be a difficult game against a great team," said the French defender. "They know that anything is possible in football so they'll come here to attack and win. We aren't going to play for a 0-0 draw, we want to try and win what we know will be a demanding game."