Madrid beats Sparta 3-0, takes top spot

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Fielding a virtual reserve side, Real Madrid guaranteed first place in Champions League Group C by recording an emphatic 3-0 win over Sparta Prague in a fifth-rotation match at the Bernabeu stadium Tuesday.

Second-half goals in an 11-minute spell by Argentine midfielder Santiago Solari, striker Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez and back-from-injury Brazilian winger Savio Bortolini maintained Madrid's hundred percent record in the second phase.

The Spanish titlist has 15 points while Sparta stays with three points in a group which also includes Panathinaikos and Porto. Porto beat the Greek side 2-1.

"We played well in the second half with some good flowing play. When we scored our second goal Sparta lost heart and the game was all over," Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque said.

Sparta coach Jaroslav Hrebik said that his side never recovered from Solari's opening goal on the hour.

"Our game plan was to stop Madrid from playing its passing game and play on the counterattack. The plan worked but only for 60 minutes," Hrebic said.

With Madrid visiting arch-rival FC Barcelona on Saturday, coach Vicente del Bosque omitted eight of his first-choice side, including stars Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Raul Gonzalez.

With Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo injured as well, Madrid initially looked disjointed in a dull first half.

Hrebik's side was also imprecise and predictable, failing to hit the target before the interval.

The match changed dramatically shortly after Brazilian international winger Savio Bortolini replaced England international Steve McManaman in the 53rd minute for his first taste of action for close to three months.

Seconds later, Sparta captain Jiri Novotny spurned its best chance of the game when, left unmarked, he shot wide from close range.

The miss by the Czech international defender proved crucial as Madrid suddenly took a firm grip on the encounter.

"Novotny's was the miss of the game," Hrebic said.

Solari, who scored the only goal of Madrid's last home Champions League match against Porto, broke the deadlock when he played a well pass with Savio before deftly chipping the ball over the advancing Petr Cech.

Four minutes later, Guti received a pass from substitute Oscar Minambres, evaded a lunge by Tomas Hubschman and fired in from the edge of the area.

In the 71st minute, Savio crowned his comeback, sending a downward header home from a cross from the left by fullback Raul Bravo.

Novotny almost atoned for his previous error, partially at least, hitting Iker Casillas' crossbar from outside the area in the 77th minute.

The final group games take place on March 20 when Panathinaikos hosts Madrid and Porto visits Sparta.

Del Bosque delights in Savio return

Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque praised the contribution of fit-again midfielder Savio, after the Brazilian came off the bench to inspire a 3-0 win over Sparta Prague.

"Savio was outstanding," said Del Bosque, whose team top Group C with a maximum 15 points from five games.

"His contribution was fundamental and everyone will be delighted to see him back."

Savio was making his first appearance for two months after suffering a series of injuries and he immediately livened up Real's game after coming on as a sub early in the second half.

His one-two with Santiago Solari set up the first for the Argentine midfielder and after Guti had added a second Savio capped a fine performance with a header for the third.

Real are now certain of top spot in their group and can look forward to playing the second leg of their quarter-final at the Bernabeu.

"I don't care who we get in the quarter-finals," Del Bosque said. "The only important thing is that we've progressed very well through the two group stages."

The Czech side's hopes of making the last eight were dashed by the result in the Bernabeu and they are now bottom of the group with three points.

"Our plan was to contain their passing game and look to strike on the counter-attack," said coach Jaroslav Hrebik.

"We were on course until the 60th minute. We even had the first good chance but we weren't able to score.

"Real then looked for the victory and they deserved to win."

Summary

Champions League second stage, group C

Scorers: Santiago Solari 60, Guti 64, Savio 71

Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 40,000

Teams:

Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Geremi, 6-Ivan Helguera (9-Fernando Morientes 76), 31-Francisco Pavon, 30-Raul Bravo; 16-Flavio Conceicao, 20-Albert Celades, 8-Steve McManaman (11-Savio 53), 21-Santiago Solari (26-Oscar Minambres 63); 14-Guti, 23-Pedro Munitis

Sparta Prague: 17-Petr Cech; 22-Tomas Cizek, 16-Tomas Huebschmann, 8-Jiri Novotny, 5-Jan Flachbart; 14-Libor Sionko, 20-Jiri Jarosik, 13-Martin Klein, 10-Rastislav Michalik; 9-Marek Kincl, 24-Patrice Abanda (25-Peter Babnic 66)

Referee: Graham Poll (England)

 

Related information
Stories
Champions League Group D teams aim for treble World Soccer Champions League Previews Roma, Barca, Man Utd, Bayern close to last eight Brazilians send Porto past Panathinaikos 2-1 Late goals lift Leverkusen over Juventus 3-1 Deportivo stuns Arsenal, claims quarterfinal spot
Stats
Champions League Results, Standings
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.