Madrid guard against complacency

'Plenty of work to do'
"It is still going to be very difficult," Del Bosque said after the game. "We have to prepare for a tough match in Moscow next week and there is still plenty of hard work to do." With Milan already safely qualified as Group C winners, the result left defending champions Madrid in second place with eight points, one ahead of BV Borussia Dortmund who won 3-0 at home against FC Lokomotiv Moscow. Madrid will need to win their final match in Moscow or replicate whatever Dortmund do in their away match in Milan to ensure they make the quarter-finals.

'Good practical football'
Del Bosque said he was pleased with the way his players had approached what had been a vital game for his side."We played good practical football," he said. "We were well organised in defence and scored three marvellous goals. It was a good game between two high-quality teams." Madrid took the initiative from the start and Raúl González gave them an early lead when he fired in at the near post after a fine assist from Ronaldo on 12 minutes.

Raúl scores again
The Spanish international put Madrid further ahead and brought his total of Champions League goals to 41 with an outstanding individual goal after the break. Although Rivaldo gave Madrid a few nervous moments when he pulled one back eight minutes from time, substitute Guti made absolutely sure of the victory when he prodded the ball into the net from close range soon after.

'A little worried'
"We were a little worried after the Rivaldo goal," said Del Bosque. "But luckily [Zinedine] Zidane produced a brilliant move to set up our third a few minutes later and that allowed us to relax again. Overall it was a great game between two great teams who happened to have different aims on the night."

Lack or urgency
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the fact that his side had already booked their place in the last eight had taken the edge of their performance. "The fact that we were already qualified definitely influenced the way we played and we did not play with the same urgency as Madrid," he said.

'Vital match for Madrid'
"Madrid fully deserved their victory and, of course, it was a vital match for them because they knew they had to win to keep their chances alive," Ancelotti continued. "We were a little intimidated in the first half and Madrid played very well, but I thought we improved as the game went on and gave a better image in the second half."