Just having ascended to the top of Spain’s La Liga last Saturday, Jose Mourinho’s men played with complete confidence, exposing AC Milan’s weaknesses continually. This match was another example of the triumph of youth over experience as Real Madrid was too fast for Milan’s ageing squad.
Ronaldo’s speed and ability to run at the Milan defense led to Real’s two goals. And he should’ve scored another one himself after some fancy footwork and a nice set up by Marcelo in the second half.
Ronaldo got the show started by earning a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 12th minute of play. His free kick should’ve been blocked by the wall but Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic jumped and left a huge hole for the ball to shoot through. Milan goalie Marco Amelia was helpless to stop the shot and he let his sloppy defense know it.
Milan did not have much time to breathe when Marcelo made a fine tackle just shy of midfield and got the ball to Ronaldo. Ronaldo then took off down the left flank, cut into the 18-yard box and found Mesut Ozil whose side-footer changed directions off defender Daniele Bonera and looped past Amelia into the net.
Two goals in a minute and the game was over. Milan’s best chance came off an Andrea Pirlo freekick midway through the first half that hit the crossbar.
Milan’s midfield was too slow and ponderous for the dynamic Real Madrid attack. This Real Madid squad did not play like Jose Mourinho’s past teams, who have had a reputation for not being particularly pleasant to watch. Rather, Real Madrid attacked with speed and intricate passing.
Real Madrid have won all three games so far in the group stage and will reach the knockout stages comfortably barring a complete collapse. Milan, meanwhile, are in a dogfight for the knockout stages with Ajax who beat Auxerre 2–1. Milan and Ajax both have four points from three games.
Five-Star Arsenal
Arsenal welcomed back a familiar face in Eduardo as Shakhtar Donetsk paid a visit to north London. Eduardo suffered a horrific broken leg and ankle in a game in Birmingham and missed a year. But the soft-spoken Croatian of Brazilian origin has bounced back for his Ukrainian team.
Arsenal, also heavily reliant on youth and speed, welcomed captain Cesc Fabregas into the squad. Alex Song and Samir Nasri gave the Gunners a 2–0 lead after the first half.
In the second half, Arsenal added three more goals in a nine-minute span as Fabregas put away a penalty shot and 18-year-old Jack Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh also found the back of the net.
Eduardo scored a consolation goal for Shakhtar after a late introduction into the game. Eduardo got a very warm reception from the crowd at the Emirates.
With the victory, Arsenal has taken control of Group H with nine points. Their average margin of victory in their three Champions League group games is four goals. Shakhtar falls three points back of Arsenal.
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