Champions League round-up: Kaka back in the groove to inspire Real win

By Saul Brookfield

Kaka was Real Madrid's inspiration last night, setting up one goal and scoring another as Jose Mourinho's side brushed aside Ajax 3-0 at the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian has endured a frustrating time because of injury since joining Real two years but was approaching his best last night. Cristiano Ronaldo got Real's first in the 25th minute then Kaka fired in their second from the edge of the area four minutes from half-time. Karim Benzema then made it 3-0 in the 49th minute from a Kaka pass. In the same group Lyons beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0, Bafetimbi Gomis with a smart lob and Bakary Kone from close range getting their goals.

Internazionale, under new coach Claudio Ranieri, bounced back from their shock home defeat to Trabzonspor two weeks ago, by winning 3-2 at CSKA Moscow. They made hard work off it though, letting slip an early two-goal lead before the former Birmingham striker Mauro Zarate hit the winner with 12 minutes to go in the Luzhniki Stadium.

In the other game in Manchester United's group, a Cesar goal five minutes before half-time earned Benfica a 1-0 win against Otelul Galati in Romania. In City's group, Napoli enjoyed their home debut in the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Villarreal, Marek Hamsik and a Edinson Cavani penalty lighting up the San Paolo.

 

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