Real Madrid 5 - Bayer Leverkusen 3

Real Madrid: César; Geremi, Iván Campo, Hierro (Celades 46'), Roberto Carlos; Iván Helguera, Makelele; Figo (Munitis 89'), Guti, Savio (Solari 70'); Raúl. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 04. Guti. Screwed in Figo's cross after defence failed to connect.
1-1. 20. Brdaric. Shot into roof of net after corner headed down by Zivkovic
2-1. 25. Helguera. Headed down under keeper from Figo s centre on right.
2-2. 55. Kirsten. Near post header after Neuville's corner from left.
3-2. 64. Guti. Shot in off far post after picking up pass from Roberto Carlos.
4-2. 75. Raúl. Controlled Solari's cross and put through keeper's legs.
4-3. 77. Rink. Poked into net after César saved twice from Kirsten.
5-3. 87. Figo (penalty). By popular acclaim after Figo himself fouled by Reeb.

Real Madrid qualified early for the second league phase of the Champions League with an exciting victory against Bayer Leverkusen. The German team put up a good fight, coming back from behind twice before Madrid finally got ahead and finished off the tie with a penalty from Figo, acclaimed as the man of the match. Figo had earlier laid on the first two goals for Guti and then Helguera with his crosses from the right, and when he was brought down for the penalty near the end, the crowd bayed for him to take the kick. After scoring the goal, manager Vicente Del Bosque decided to substitute him, giving the fans a chance to applaud him off and animate him for next Saturday's difficult game at Barcelona, when he returns for the first time to the club he left behind under controversial circumstances in the summer.

Del Bosque gave a rare start to two players he used a lot last season, Iván Campo and Savio, resting Karanka and Munitis for Saturday's game. César came in for the injured Casillas in goal, and despite letting in three goals he put up a very solid performance, making several vital saves including a double block against Kirsten and Brdaric in the first half and a point blank save from Neuville in the second which would have levelled the scores at 3-3. Hierro started the match, the team needing his experience, but at half time he left the field as a precaution after feeling the strain of an old injury, and Celades, back from injury himself, came on. Guti added his second and Solari came on to lay on the fourth for Raúl, and with a two goal lead Del Bosque decided not to risk Morientes, the striker finally returning to the bench after a long injury.

The victory gives Real Madrid the leadership of group A with ten points, and with Spartak on nine, Bayer Leverkusen on three and Sporting Lisbon with one, they are already through to the next stage. Not only does that mean they can rest players, but also brings in more much-needed funds to their coffers. Their financial situation has improved this week anyway, with a local savings bank, Cajamadrid, putting in 13 billion Pesetas as part of a deal involving publicity rights over the next ten years. The crowds are also returning to the Bernabeu stadium, with over 60,000 turning up for this game. On this showing, they will be putting up the 'sold out' notices more than once this season. New club president Florentino Pérez is a relieved man. Now, about that match at Barcelona next Saturday.....