Easy does it for Real Madrid as they open Uefa Champions League defence with 5-1 win over Basel

Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid make it look easy in a 5-1 win over FC Basel 1893 at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Javier Soriano / AFP

Defending champions Real Madrid put their domestic problems in Spain behind them as they began their Uefa Champions League campaign in style last night with a 5-1 thrashing of Basel at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled in the Primera Liga, losing two of their opening three games, most recently going down 2-1 to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
But that was all forgotten as they proved too strong for their Swiss opponents in Group B.
Once a Marek Suchy own goal had put them in the lead in the 14th minute, there was no looking back as Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez all found the net inside the opening first 38 minutes.
Though Derlis Gonzalez pulled one back for Basel before the break it was Real who had the last word with Karim Benzema's late effort.
It was not such a good night for Atletico, the team Real defeated 4-1 in the final in May, as they lost their opening Group A game 3-1 at Olympiakos.
Arthur Masuaku and Ibrahim Afellay had given the Greek side a two-goal lead, before Mario Mandzukic halved the deficit close to the interval.
Kostas Mitrogiou extended Olympiakos's advantage in the second half, before Antoine Griezmann's late strike gave Atletico hope, though it was too little too late.
The other game in Group A saw Serie A champions Juventus beat Malmo 2-0 thanks to two goals in the second half from Carlos Tevez.
Borussia Dortmund, the 2013 finalists, made an impressive statement of intent as they defeated Arsenal 2-0 in Group D.
Ciro immobile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were on target for the Germans.
Dortmund are the early leaders of the group as Burak Yilmaz's goal in stoppage time earned Galatasary a 1-1 draw with Anderlecht.
Dennis Praet's 52nd minute goal had looked as if it would be enough for the Belgians before the Turkish side made a late charge.
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE