Real Madrid 2 AC Milan 0:TWO MINUTES, two gifts, two goals, and it was over before it had really begun. Jose Mourinho became the first coach in Real Madrid's history to remain unbeaten in his first 10 games – and the record was never in doubt.
So quickly did the game appear to be resolved, so swiftly the record secured, that the Portuguese could have been forgiven for turning his thoughts to the future and a previously impossible dream: Wayne Rooney.
Back in May, before he had even joined Real Madrid or won this competition with Internazionale, Mourinho was asked which player he would most like to work with. “I am going to tell you because it is impossible,” he replied. “I would like to coach Rooney, both because of the way he is as a footballer and also because of his mentality.” But he added: “My friend Ferguson can rest easy because it is impossible.”
Is? Was. The extraordinary events of this week have changed the panorama. Florentino Perez is a long-term admirer too, insiders admitting during his last mandate – four years ago – that the Madrid president was “crazy for Rooney”.
Imagine him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, winners of this tournament together in 2008 and finalists in 2009.
After last night’s game, Mourinho said Real Madrid would be interested in signing Rooney, but insisted: “He is going to stay at Manchester United.”
Last night’s match had not even reached the 15-minute mark and already Madrid, steaming out of the blocks, with Ronaldo running at the aging Zambrotta on the left, were two up. A place in the next round is virtually secure with three games to spare.
Alexandre Pato fouled Xabi Alonso on the edge of the area. The free-kick appeared too close for Ronaldo, but Ibrahimovic and Seedorf obligingly provided an opening in the wall and the ball flew straight through to the net.
Milan had barely digested what had happened when, a minute later, Ronaldo again ran at Zambrotta. His pull-back found Mesut Ozil, whose scuffed shot deflected off Daniele Bonera and beyond Marco Amelia.Alonso exercised control. Ronaldo’s pace and direct running, sticking this time to the left rather than swapping wings, caused constant problems.
And Angel Di Maria too was finding space on the other side – with Marcelo bombing beyond him from deep. Moving smoothly behind them, Ozil confirmed his impressive form of late.
At the other end there were few worrying moments for a Madrid defence led by the formidable Portuguese partnership of Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho.
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo, Alonso, Khedira, Ozil (Lassana Diarra 82), Di Maria (Granero 87), Ronaldo, Higuain (Benzema 89). Subs not used: Dudek, Mahamadou Diarra, Albiol, Pedro Leon. Booked: Di Maria.
AC MILAN: Amelia, Zambrotta, Nesta, Bonera, Antonini, Gattuso (Boateng 59), Pirlo, Seedorf, Alexandre Pato (Inzaghi 78), Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho (Robinho 72). Subs not used: Roma, Papastathopoulos, Flamini, Abate. Booked: Bonera, Boateng, Antonini.
Referee: P Proenca (Portugal).
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