The Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid was in full capacity as Spanish La Liga Champions Real Madrid played host to German squad Werder Bremen in their Group C group stage match of the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League season. Real Madrid started the match with a bang, making an impressive goal in the 16th minute from Madrista captain Raul. Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy brought in the ball to the left side of the penalty area and flicked it to the near post past two Werder Bremen defenders. Raul was able to beat the Werder Bremen defense to the ball and headed it home past Werder Bremen keeper Tim Wiese. The goal by Raul improves his UEFA Champions League All-Time Leading Scorer record to 57 goals.

However, the celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu were short-lived when Werder Bremen scored an equaliser in the 17 th minute. Werder Bremen midfielder Dusko Tosic swung in a cross to the middle of the box, and striker Boubacar Sanogo was able to get a toe to put the ball past Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.

Werder Bremen were able to have their opportunities to take the lead through the efforts of forward Markus Rosenberg, Brazilian midfielder Diego and forward Boubacar Sanogo. Real Madrid also had their opportunities care of Wesley Sneijder, Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Eventually, it was Ruud Van Nistelrooy who broke the deadlock. Real Madrid midfielder Guti played the ball into Raul, who turned an slotted it through the open space where an unmarked Ruud Van Nistelrooy calmly slotted it into the left post past the helpless Werder Bremen keeper Tim Wiese. Van Nistelrooy’s goal in the 74th minute gives him his 50th goal in the UEFA Champions League.

At the final whistle, Real Madrid was up 2-1 against Werder Bremen, giving them the full 3 points to stay on top of the Group C leaderboard after the conclusion of matchday 1 in the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League season. The other results in Group C include a draw between Lazio and Olympiakos 1-1.

Real Madrid’s next match in the UEFA Champions League group stage will be against Italian club Lazio. Real Madrid will be visitors to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, on October 3.

To bet on Real Madrid vs. Lazio and other UEFA Champions League matches, click here.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2007 at 7:59 am and is filed under Guti, Iker Casillas, Raul, Real Madrid, Robinho, Ruud Van Nistelroy, Soccer News, Spanish Primera Liga, Sports News, UEFA Champions League, Wesley Sneijder. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.