SOCCER/UEFA Champions League Group C - Real Madrid ... 3 AC Milan ... 1: With three triumphs in the tournament since 1998, the holders have found a way of making the Champions League a little more interesting for themselves.
Real Madrid had previously played so absent-mindedly that this win was essential, and they must still take a victory in Russia against Lokomotiv Moscow to ensure Borussia Dortmund are denied the runners-up spot in Group C after the Germans' 3-0 win at home last night.
Real's taste for suspense saw them score a beautiful clincher only through the substitute Guti in the 85th minute, and patience may be wearing thin.
At one end, fans had unfurled a banner that struck a fine balance between encouraging the Real players and menacing them. "Going out is not an option." This, after all, is a squad designed to excel and success is meant to be included in the price of these stars.
They rapidly moved in front against a semi-serious Milan, who had already clinched first place in the group, yet there were still signs of the vagaries that can affect Real. Ronaldo, for example, is used to adulation, but ought also be grateful for the patience extended by the club.
He continues to give credence to the notion that World Cup triumph with Brazil might have been marked by a celebratory tour of the planet's fast-food outlets. There is a lumbering tone to his movement, but his gifts are coming to life again, particularly in the Spanish League, and a statuesque manner did not preclude effectiveness here either.
In the 12th minute, Roberto Carlos was brave enough to take a kick as the price of jabbing a smart low cross to Raul, who was the beneficiary of an ideal ball by Ronaldo that left him to drive home at the near post. It was a piece of dovetailing to make one marvel that Real could actually be chasing only their second win in the group.
There were novelties for the connoisseur. Alessandro Costacurta, who rightly belongs in an earlier and greater Milan era, was at centre-half at an age when defenders normally take up local radio punditry. He felt his 36 years at times, but the rest of the back four gasped as well.
Real were elegant enough but there was a note of relaxed exhibition about it and the slackness that has beset them this season had not quite been purged. Roberto Carlos was self-indulgent in declining to retreat at a free-kick and the yellow card will keep him out of the match in Moscow.
The hyperactive Brazilian is never likely to be paralysed by dismay. It is his tearing sprints that prevent Real from posturing to the point of self-destruction and another of his breaks allowed the crowd to acclaim Raul.
Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane established the supply line to Roberto Carlos and Raul gathered the cut-back with an air of a man who had noticed that, with the score still stuck at 1-0, decisiveness was essential. With a little trick, he rid himself of Martin Laursen and Costacurta for as long as it took to take aim and smack his finish past Christian Abbiati's right hand in the 56th minute.
Before long, Ronaldo was excused further exertion as Guti took his place and Real, too, relaxed for a while. There was room for showmanship and the inevitable Roberto Carlos seemed set to score after feinting his way past Abbiati, only for the goalkeeper to recover and concede a mere corner.
Rivaldo banished Real's fun by heading in a Paolo Maldini cross in the 81st minute. But it looks as if the Champions League will see plenty more of the holders and their inexhaustible full-back this year.
Guardian Service
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Salgado, Carlos, Pavon, Helguera, Makelele, Figo, Flavio, Zidane (Solari 87), Raul (Portillo 88), Ronaldo (Guti 66). Subs Not Used: Cesar, Minambres, Cambiasso, Ruben. Booked: Carlos. Goals: Raul 12, 56, Guti 85.
AC MILAN: Abbiati, Maldini, Simic (Nesta 62), Costacurta, Laursen, Redondo (Pirlo 78), Dalla Bona (Rui Costa 46), Brocchi, Seedorf, Rivaldo, Shevchenko. Subs Not Used: Dida, Helveg, Leonardo, Pastrello. Booked: Dalla Bona, Shevchenko. Goals: Rivaldo 81.
Referee: K Nielson (Denmark).
