Ramos happy to make a positive start

Real Madrid CF coach Juande Ramos said the 3-0 victory over FC Zenit St. Petersburg was a confidence boost for his players on his debut at the helm. Ramos's charges had already done the job of qualifying from Group H but here they fulfilled their task of impressing the new boss. His opposite number, Dick Advocaat of Zenit, declared himself satisfied with a campaign which resulted in a third-placed finish behind Madrid and Juventus.

Juande Ramos, Real Madrid coach
The biggest positive is that we got a very good, very emphatic victory. We were already through, so the main thing was that we picked up some confidence tonight. It was also good that we didn't concede, but we have to take it step by step and keep on improving. There is a problem, in particular, with our left flank. Every player has his own strengths and we are going to look for the best possible kind of game to suit their characteristics. I was really focused on the game tonight and didn't pay much attention to what was happening around me in the stadium with the supporters.

Dick Advocaat, Zenit coach
After a game like this we can only say thank you and go home. We have had Madrid and Juventus in our group, so overall we have made a good showing in this competition [finishing third in the section]. It is not the right moment to express exactly what I'm feeling, but I do think the club now has to decide which players it will build the team around. Andrei Arshavin was not really ready for tonight's match but he wanted to play and it was a great chance for him to show his talent. It is also normal that the leading players in Russia eventually want to play for the top European teams.