Ronaldo makes the difference for Albiol

Defender Raúl Albiol felt that once Cristiano Ronaldo had put Real Madrid CF in front in their UEFA Champions League Group C encounter with Olympique de Marseille, there was only going to be one winner.

Attackers unleashed
Speaking to uefa.com after Los Merengues' 3-0 triumph, Albiol explained that Cristiano Ronaldo's 58th-minute opener allowed Madrid to break out of their shell after a frustrating first half. "It was quite tricky until we scored the first goal, but from then on things opened up which made it easier for us," the former Valencia CF central defender said. Shortly after striking his team's first, Ronaldo won a penalty which Kaká converted before the Portuguese international hit Madrid's third, and his ninth goal of the season, to complete the scoring. "When you go a goal in front the onus is on the other team to come out a little more so from that point on it was difficult to hold our attackers back," Albiol continued.

Tricky game
The victory was Madrid's second in the section following their 5-2 win at FC Zürich on Matchday 1. That Manuel Pellegrini's side managed to keep a clean sheet against Marseille was an extra comfort to Albiol who feels he and his team-mates are strengthening all the time at the back. "The most important thing tonight was that although we were finding it difficult to break through at times, we also kept the scoreline at 0-0 and we kept order defensively. They were a tough side to play against. They had big physical players and it was a tricky game." Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago concurred. "I think we played exceptionally well in the second half and managed to convert several of the chances we created," the Argentinian said. "In the opening 45 minutes we all found it difficult against their defensive set-up but in the second period we were a lot more comfortable."

Brandão optimistic
Marseille have lost both their matches and are bottom of the section following Zürich's surprise win at AC Milan in the night's other Group C match. With two games against the Swiss champions to come, striker Brandão is looking for a quick upturn in fortunes. "We still have four matches to play," he said. "Milan lost today, so we have high hopes. Now we face Zürich in two matches in a direct face-off and we hope to qualify."