I haven't had time to reflect on the appointment of Juande Ramo's as our new coach but I generally like him and have a lot of respect for him. I just thought it was a bad decision to sack Schuster at this point in the season regardless of the reason, but it is over now and what a fresh start for the new coach than smashing FC Zenit at the Santiago Bernabeu with three goals (two from Rau'l 1st, 3rd) and one from Arjen Robben who gave a superb performance tonight.

I watched the game through live streaming because my soccer channel does not broadcast the Champions League games. It was a frustrating experience but better than nothing - you know.

Ramos made a few changes to the starting lineup and he used: Dudek (instead of Casillas), Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Guti, Gago, Van Der Vaart (instead of Drenthe), Robben, Rau'l and Higuain.

What I liked about us tonight was that we started well, moving forward and holding ball possession. As always, Robben provided width and started tearing their defenders apart thanks to his pace. Guti also did some good work in the midfield and Gago also took care of the dirty work of recovering balls. The Argentinian international whom I'm not a big fan of has improved a lot recently - which is good considering that Diarra is out for the season.

Real Madrid VS FC Zenit - Champions League Group H | 10/12/2008 - 20:45 CET | Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid take on FC Zenit tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeu hoping to improve before playing Barcelona next weekend at the Cam Nou.

As far as injuries are concerned, Diarra will be out for six-to-nine months after having a surgery on his knee. This obviously means he is out for the season and so we need to forget him and figure things out.

Drenthe left training today because he felt some pain in his right knee. It doesn't look to be serious though and so I think he is gonna make it. Meanwhile, Sneijder is making a good progress and there is a chance he'll recover for the Barcelona match.

There isn't any news about Heinze, Pepe or Torres but the Argentinian defender could make it before the Clasico as well.

We beat FC Zenit 2-0 in the first leg there in Russia. It was a difficult game and we won it thanks to our effectiveness in front of goal. 

We have already guaranteed a place in the next stage of the tournament but a win against Zenit and a defeat for Juventus will put us as the group leaders so we'd theoretically avoid strong teams in the knock-out stage (well, it doesn't always work like this).

AS reveals that Andrei Arshavin could possibly move to Real Madrid in January on a six-month loan deal if his club, Zenit St Petersburg, agrees to negotiate and put him down at a reasonable price.

"How could I not want to go to Real Madrid, it's a great team, one of the best," Arshavin told the AS sports newspaper published on Wednesday.

"The only thing that I have said is that I want to leave Zenit next year at all costs" and "I think by the start of 2009 I will definitely be with another team.

"I have not come out in favor of another club. The most important thing now is not whether Real Madrid wants me or not, but rather if Zenit will let me leave,"

Real Madrid along with Barcelona and Tottenham tried to sign the striker last summer but Zenit's asking price was ridiculously high.

It would be really strange that someone would pay 25 million euros ($31 million) for me. The main thing is to put me down at a reasonable price," Arshavin continued.

An own goal from Hubocan and a goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy gave Real Madrid another win in the Champions League as they successfully accomplished their mission in Russia.

It was a great match with both sides showing quality, brilliance and determination. 

Bernd Schuster started with Casillas in goal, Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe and Heinze in defense. The midfield consisted of Diarra, De La Red,...

FC Zenit vs Real Madrid | 30/09/2008  20:45 CET | Petrovsky Stadium | Champions League

Real Madrid take on FC Zenit, the Russian club who won last year's UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup after they beat Manchester United 2-1.

However, this year, they have sucked both in their domestic league and in the Champions League, at least, so far.

In the domestic league, they are sixth in the table with 14 points. In the Champions League, they lost to Juventus and will likely be beaten by Real Madrid tomorrow night If Bernd Schuster's men focus and don't underestimate them.

Having said that, I think it is going to be a very...

The draw for the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League Group Stage took place today in Monaco and the Whites will play Italian giants Juventus, Zenit and Bate Borsiv. It doesn't look that scary, so I think we should be able to qualify pretty easily.

GROUP H

Real Madrid

Juventus