Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0

JOSE MOURINHO was supposed to go to Hell next week. Well, not any more.

Thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain strikes, Real Madrid should have it easy in the return at Galatasaray’s notorious Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
In fact the Turkish giants’ cauldron — known for its ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners and deafening atmosphere — is now set to witness Real securing a third straight semi-final spot under the Special One.
If the Spanish giants do reach the last four, it will be Mourinho’s seventh Champions League semi — equalling Manchester United chief Alex Ferguson’s record tally.
Mourinho said: “It is always very difficult to play in Istanbul and they will fight very hard against us in the return leg.
“We will have to treat that game very seriously but if we score then they will have to score five, so this was a good result for us.
“I was very pleased with our defensive work but going forward we should have scored more. We had lots of chances where we had three versus three but did not make the most of it.”

RON - NIL ... Cristiano fired Real into an early lead

This was billed as Mourinho v Didier Drogba but it was Ronaldo who struck first on nine minutes when he dinked Mesut Ozil’s defence-splitting pass over keeper Fernando Muslera for his ninth goal in as many Champions League matches.
Ex-Chelsea striker Drogba was a threat for the first hour but old boss Mourinho’s tactics were to send the visitors home shattered.
The nine-time European champs were content to give the Turks the ball and hit them on the break — and the result justifies the means.
Shortly after the opener, former Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue fed Drogba, who turned Raphael Varane before blasting over.
Fatih Terim’s visitors were not exactly afraid to come out of their shell and, on 18 minutes, Drogba fed Hamit Altintop, whose 30-yard strike was wide.

BIG BENZ ... Karim adds a second

At the other end, Muslera did well to gather Angel Di Maria’s 18-yard shot.
Then, on 26 minutes, Drogba let fly from 25 yards but his effort was punched clear by Diego Lopez.
Moments later, Fabio Coentrao’s vital tackle denied Drogba a tap-in after Eboue’s square pass.
And just when you thought Galatasaray might spring a surprise, Madrid went two up.
Real’s Michael Essien crossed, Eboue missed it and the ball fell to Benzema, who blasted in off a post.
Di Maria should have put the tie beyond the visitors on 62 minutes but he could not beat Muslera from six yards.
Madrid, though, were not to be denied a third and sub Higuain headed Xabi Alonso’s free-kick into the roof of the net on 73 minutes.
Real skipper Sergio Ramos picked up a booking late on and will miss the second leg through suspension.
Mourinho, though, will still be spoilt for choice for what should be his Turkish delight.