Soccer-Real took advantage of Lazio's attacking style - Schuster

By Simon Baskett

MADRID, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Lazio's un-Italian approach to defending was the reason for Real Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win on Tuesday, said the Spanish team's coach Bernd Schuster.

"Lazio are not a typical Italian team who defend with a lot of players close to their own goal," noted the Real Madrid coach after his side's comfortable progress to the last 16.

"They are more offensive and play in more advanced positions than other Italian sides so we saw we had more of a chance against them.

"We played at a high tempo at the start, pushed them hard early on and the goals followed," he added.

Real hit Lazio with quick-fire goals from Julio Baptista and Raul to go 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes and the result was put beyond doubt when Robinho added a third before the break.

The nine-times European champions eased up in the second half and Lazio got a consolation goal with 10 minutes remaining from striker Goran Pandev and could have added another if Tommaso Rocchi had not missed a penalty just before the end.

The victory ensured Real went through to the knockout phase for the 11th season in a row, but as group winners for the first time in four years.