Champions League: Real Madrid not satisfied with 2-0 win

MADRID, Spain – Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored Wednesday to lead Real Madrid over 10-man BATE Borisov 2-0 in Group H of the Champions League. Ramos struck in the 11th minute off a pass from Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez before Van Nistelrooy scored his 54th goal from 69 European Cup games in the 57th. "Without a doubt we came into the game hoping for a bigger scoreline. I think that's what we were missing today," coach Bernd Schuster said. "It was a good victory but it was obligatory to score more goals." The Belarussians' task was made nearly impossible in the 63rd when defender Anri Khagush was sent off for a second yellow card. Madrid, a record nine-time European champion, didn't allow BATE a shot on the goal in the second half but failed to increase the scoreline despite registering 27 shots. BATE goalkeeper Sergei Veremko stopped substitute Gonzalo Higuain and Rafael van der Vaart from close. Madrid has three points alongside Juventus, which beat Zenit St. Petersburg 1-0 in the other Group H game. Schuster said a victory in the next match at Zenit could give the Spanish club a big step toward making the knockout stage. "The next game already holds a lot of importance for Zenit and already we have a chance to take an important step after two games," the German coach said. Guti faked a shot and curled a perfect pass through the crowded area for Ramos to score at the near post with the inside of his right foot. Substitute Mahamadou Diarra's defense-splitting pass set Raul Gonzalez down the left side of the area and Veremko saved the Madrid striker's hard shot, only for the rebound to glance off defender Dmitri Likhtarovich and land at Van Nistelrooy's feet for an easy goal. Madrid, keen to avoid a fourth opening defeat in five European Cup campaigns, attacked from kickoff. Van Nistelrooy shot into the side netting in the third minute before Guti advanced untouched along the left only to shoot across the mouth of the goal four minutes later. Raul — making his first appearance since Aug. 31 due to a heel injury — picked up a loose ball at the top of the area but spun a quick shot wide in the 13th. Arjen Robben was clear down the left and around Veremko in the 17th only to lose control with Guti in front of goal. Vladislav Mirchev beat the outstretched Iker Casillas with a long drive in the 27th but BATE's first attack sailed wide of the post. Mirchev played alone up front with regular strikers Gennadi Bliznyuk and Vitali Rodionov missing due to suspension. The first Belarussian team to feature in Europe's top competition was short on the attacking side in comparison to Madrid, which was without the suspended Ruben de la Red and Pepe, and the injured Wesley Sneijder. Robben headed Van der Vaart's cross over the bar to close out a first half dominated by the hosts but overshadowed by Gonzalo Higuain's substitution to injury. "We don't know how long we've lost him for," Schuster said. "On the face of it, it doesn't look good." Veremko denied Ramos' hard volley with a fingertip save in the 50th while Van der Vaart missed a clear chance in front of goal moments later. Higuain controlled superbly in the 77th but shot wide across goal before Veremko denied Van der Vaart with three minutes left. A minute's silence was observed for Heinz Fahnler before kickoff after the UEFA official and former referee died on Wednesday at age 66. – AP