Del Bosque says Real will be even better with Zidane

Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque warned his side would be even better with Zinedine Zidane on board after they produced an impressive 2-1 Champions League win over AS Roma without the Frenchman on Tuesday.

But Del Bosque cautioned against over-confidence after his side won the group A battle of the Italian and Spanish champions, largely thanks to an outstanding show from Portugal's Luis Figo.

"It is the beginning of the tournament and one game doesn't mean too much," said the Real coach after second half goals from Figo and Guti put Real 2-0 up before a Francesco Totti penalty.

"But we played well. I thought we might have missed our moment after we failed to take our chances in the first half but then we showed we are mentally strong and that we are a balanced side," said Del Bosque.

Real have picked up only one point from their opening two league games in Spain and neither the team nor Zidane have shone in the Liga.

But without Zidane, who has three more games of a UEFA suspension to serve, Real played some fluent, high-paced, passing football to largely outclass Roma.

"The team did very well tonight but with Zidane we will be even a little bit better," said Del Bosque.

Roma coach Fabio Capello said Real had shown exactly why they will be in with a chance of extending their record eight European titles.

"They are one of the best sides in the world and certainly among the favourites to reach the final again this year," said the coach who won the Spanish title with Real in 1997.