Di Maria scores Real's only goal in Zagreb

"LandepNews"

Di Maria scores Real's only goal in Zagreb

Real Madrid have gone top of the group D after defeating Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 last night at the Maksimir stadium where Di Maria scored the only goal of the meeting.
With Jose Mourinho suspended for five games, Real were guided by assistant Aitor Karanka who is used to replacing the Special One, given the large number of suspensions the Portuguese has been subjected to over the last year. Dinamo had a strong start last night, winning an early corner which Sergio Ramos cleared at the death.
Real broke back right afterwards through Ronaldo who missed a left foot volley. Karim Benzema beat his mark to feed the free Portuguese who could only strike it wide. Tomecak then missed another great chance for the Croatians who were chasing an early opener, as well. Mesut Ozil got his first chance in the ninth minute but the German’s shot went of the target to his own dismay.
Newly arrived on Bernabeu Coentrao also mocked his first opportunity, striking it just over the bar in what should have been a more difficult test for keeper Kelava. Real developed a great action in the 15^th minute the finish of which was struck just wide by Karim Benzema. A selfish Ronaldo then took a whole action on his own, finishing it wide when he should have done much better.
Di Maria’s presence was first felt in the 30^th minute when the Argentine thundered a powerful shot just wide. Ozil imitated him one minute later but the German finished it of the target. The 34^th minute saw Dianmo miss two chances through Tomecak and Rukavina, while Casillas made a good save right afterwards.
Zagreb picked the only yellow card of the first half as Leko was cautioned for a foul on Fabio Coentrao. Marcelo also tried his luck from the edge of the box following an action on the left which Benzema managed perfectly. The French played the Brazilian in good position only to hit it wide. The half time went scoreless, but the game remained open to any result.
As for the second part, it started with Tomecak’s wide shot but also with an early opener from the visitors. Di Maria opened the score with a tremendous shot from 15 yards or so straight into the top right corner. Marcelo fed the Argentine inside the box for a superb finish past the keeper.
Ronaldo, who was desperately chasing his 29^th goal in the European competition, looked for a second one just one minute later, but his shot was saved by Kelava with ease. Sergio Ramos also tried his luck with a range shot the same keeper blocked with some effort. The 55^th minute saw Real then win a free kick which Alonso struck it of the target.
Dinamo made their first change in the 63^rd minute as coach Krunoslav Jurcic introduced Pokrivac for Mateo Kovacic. Just one minute after being introduced, Pokrivac received a yellow card following a tough challenge. Ronaldo then fired an unrecognizable volley well wide from the edge of the box in a first goal desperate attempt.
Marcelo was the first Real player to concede a yellow card, the Brazilian being cautioned in the 70^th minute for a foul on striker Ivan Tomecak who managed to put a lot of pressure on Casillas’ goal last night. But disaster came just three minutes later when the same Marcelo was sent off for a second yellow which followed simulation.
With a last effort, Benzema missed the target in the 75^th minute, while Sergio Ramos was denied again by the keeper one minute later. Dinamo made the second change in the 77^th minute, introducing Beqiraj for Rukavina. Both Ozil and Di Maria departed for Higuain and Diarra as Real were making the step backwards.
Leko missed a good opportunity in the 80^th minute, his shot making Casillas word hard for a save, while Ronaldo got one more try a minute later, but he still couldn’t change the scoreboard. Benzema was then replaced by Arbeola as Real were switching their focus on preserving the advantage.
Situm replaced Calello for Dinamo with three minutes left but the hosts were heading towards a foreseeable loss. Pep finished the game with a yellow card received for a late tackle.
Said Karanka after the meeting: “If anyone thought that this was going to be an easy game for us they would have been very wrong. Dinamo came out tonight extremely motivated. Their fans were always behind the team and kept them going throughout the match. Wherever you travel there are surprises and the Champions League is not an easy thing to win.”
Real Madrid are top of the group D with three points, being followed by Olympique Lyon and Ajax Amsterfam who finished their last night meeting scoreless.  Jose Mourinho’s side will next meet Ajax at Bernabeu on September 27, while Lyon host Dinamo Zagreab on Gerland the same day.
Dinamo Zagreb – Kelava; Ibanez, Tonel, Vida, Tomecak; Calello, Leko, Kovacic, Sammir, Badelj; Rukavina. Reserves: I. Krstanovic, M. Situm, N. Povrikac, F. Loncaric, P. Morales, F. Beciraj, A. Puljic.
Real Madrid – Casillas; Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo; Alonso, Coentrao; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzemna. Reserves: A. Adan, R. Varane, Arbeola, L. Diarra, G. Higuain, S. Khedira, J. Callejon.

Thank's for link: