Real Madrid win but AC Milan kept waiting

Real Madrid moved closer towards the knockout stages of the Uefa Champions league with a single goal victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid. Real failed to create chances initially against a disciplined Zurich defensive setup.

Madrid eventually scored in the 21st minute when Kaka got the better of his opponent marker, Alain Rochat and passed the ball through to a forward sprinting Higuan who delivered the ball neatly into the goal. Madrid was boosted in the second half by the on field presence of their costliest signing, Cristiano Ronaldo who took the field after a while in place of Raul Gonzalez. Ronaldo was the centre of attraction with fanatic cheers and he made an immediate impact after his entry into the 70th minute where he almost created a chance for Van der Vaart.

AC Milan going into this Group C encounter as group toppers all but managed a draw against Olympique Marseille at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan. Marco Borriello’s 10th minute goal was cancelled out by Lucho’s goal in the 16th minute. The match produced chances at either end but the deadlock ws never really broken. Borriello had the chance to score the second from a Ronaldinho chip but he shot wide of goal and thus the game ended in a draw after 90 minutes thus leaving Group C to a nerve wrecking finish.

Milan went into the match with the much fancied 4-2-1-3 formation and Andrea Pirlo again masterminded passes through both the left and the right flanks with deadly combinations of Ronaldinho, Seedorf and Borriello demonstrating moves that opened the inroads for Zambrotta to cut through. Lucho on the other hand scored being unmarked at the edge of the area when Niang moved out of Massimo Oddo and released the ball into the center.