Real Madrid earned a great result in the first leg of the last-16 round of the Champions League beating Schalke 04 at their stadium 0-2.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo gave Los Blancos an important win. Carlo Ancelotti men put one foot in the quarter-finals.
The visitors started the game in better fashion and had a few chances to take the lead. Yet, Dennis Aogo could have made it 1-0 of the hosts after receiving a pass from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and sending an effort inches off the post.
Carlo Ancelotti men opened the score in the 26th minute. Daniel Carvajal sent a brilliant cross from the right side and Ronaldo answered his critics with a superb header into the back of the net.
Los Blancos started dominating possession and playing calmer after the goal. Karim Benzema could have doubled the lead, but his low strike was denied by young goalkeeper Ingo Wellenreuther.
The 19-year-old keeper made another great save when Ronaldo sent a powerful free kick to the top corner. And minutes before the break he denied the Portuguese again keeping Schalke alive.
The game became slower and not very interesting after half-time. Madrid were convinced to earn an easy victory as Schalke barely threatened Iker Casillas, and the hosts didn’t show much interest in going forward.
Isco could have sealed the win with 15 minutes to go. The Andalusian lashed a thunderbolt from 25 metres that dipped over the crossbar. In the following play, Schalke could have upset the European champions as Uchida grabbed a loose ball and shot straight at the bar.
Marcelo let Ancelotti breathe with a beautiful shot from the edge of the box into the top right-hand corner. It was arguably the most beautiful goal of the Brazilian’s career.
Congratulations and thank God for the win. I am still septical about the way the midfield and the attack is connected. The team possesses the ball a lot in the midfield but really does not score enough goals anymore. There are no clear pass to the last player in front of the goal. But there is still an improvement….