Excitement at Real Madrid as Antonio Blanco shines in Europe

Raul Gonzalez led his Juvenil A Real Madrid youth side to a 3-1 victory over Juventus in the UEFA Youth League and young star Antonio Blanco stood out after an impressive performance in the tie.

Los Blancos conceded in just the third minute of the match and were down to 10 men after just 12 minutes when Jorge Marin Camunas was sent off.

However, Raul's men mounted an impressive comeback led by midfield man Blanco, who produced a dogged display, winning the ball back and breaking up the play so much viewers almost forgot that Juventus had the numerical advantage.

Although the goals came from Sergio Arribas, Carlos Dotor and Juanmi Latasa, it was 20-year-old Blanco who shone the most.

The Cordoba-born midfielder joined Real Madrid's youth setup in 2013 and his tactical awareness and positioning have impressed many at the club, as well as in the Spanish national side - with whom he won the Under-19 European Championship a year ago.

Real Madrid will face Inter this Wednesday in the quarter finals of the competition and will certainly see themselves as strong candidates to lift the trophy if Blanco turns in a similarly impressive performance.