Auxerre 0-1 Real Madrid - Angel heaven sent for Real

Posted Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by PA

Substitute Angel Di Maria made the overdue breakthrough to earn Real Madrid a deserved 1-0 Champions League win at Auxerre.

The winger volleyed in Mesut Ozil's cross nine minutes from time to settle what had looked set to be a frustrating match for the Spanish side.

And Marcelo's block from Ireneusz Jelen ensured there was no late twist and Real could celebrate a second straight victory - and clean sheet - in Group G.

The visitors started well, Auxerre keeper Olivier Sorin parrying Cristiano Ronaldo's early drive before Lassana Diarra lashed wide.

The France midfielder had another effort blocked by defender Kamel Chafni and Sami Khedira failed to get enough purchase on his header from the resulting Xabi Alonso corner.

Gonzalo Higuain had a close-range effort blocked by Stephane Grichting as Madrid's dominance continued, and Ronaldo was off target with a volley from the edge of the box.

Marcelo's foul on Dariusz Dudka handed Auxerre a rare opportunity, but Benoit Pedretti's free-kick was headed wide by Delvin Ndinga.

Madrid reasserted their dominance, though, and Higuain and Diarra flashed shots off target before Sorin was forced to repel Marcelo's volley.

Ronaldo was booked for handball and then shot over, before Auxerre launched a pre-interval salvo. Dudka smashed a free-kick into the wall before Pedretti's effort was fumbled by Iker Casillas, with the French side unable to latch onto the rebound.

Dudka drew another save from the Spain goalkeeper but the interval arrived with no score.

Auxerre introduced fit-again star striker Jelen for Roy Contout before the restart and, after Alvaro Arbeloa headed over for the visitors, the Pole dragged a shot wide from 20 yards.

Ronaldo then came to the fore as Madrid sought a breakthrough, threatening three times in five minutes.

Sorin held his fierce drive and then parried away an equally well-struck free-kick for a corner. The Portugal star also met Alonso's flag-kick, but his header was over the crossbar.

Real boss Jose Mourinho sent on summer signings Ozil and Di Maria in a bid to break the game open, and the two substitutes combined to crucial effect in the 81st minute.

Germany World Cup star Ozil delivered the ball from the right and Argentina star Di Maria met the cross with a volley which flashed past Sorin to break the deadlock.

Casillas held Pedretti's free-kick and Marcelo blocked Jelen's injury-time effort as Auxerre were unable to deny Madrid the points.