Betis 1 - 0 Real Madrid (Spanish League, Day 13)

Real Madrid were unable to record their sixth consecutive victory after falling to defeat in Seville against Betis (1-0). Mourinho’s team clearly dominated the game and had several chances to score. This time the attack, one of the strengths of Mourinho’s team, did not translate into points, mainly because the home side’s goalkeeper, Adrian, played exceptionally well, clearing all the Whites’ chances. Betis defended, basing their game plan on counter-attacks and it paid off. Beñat scored the game’s goal in an isolated moved, after gathering the ball in the penalty arc and beating Casillas with a tight shot in the seventeenth minute. The referee failed to give a penalty for handball during the game’s closing minutes. Real Madrid, who had had three days’ rest after an important clash in the Champions League, sought the equaliser until the end of the clash.

No goal for Real Madrid against Betis

After securing a position in the second round of the Champions League, Real Madrid travelled to the Benito Villamarin stadium with just one change from the clash on Wednesday; Özil for Modric. From the beginning of the match the Whites sought a goal and played a quick game, with a high tempo and direct play. A cross-shot from the right by Özil and a long shot by Cristiano Ronaldo that went over the goal of Adrian in the first five minutes of the match warned of the Whites’ intentions.

The Portuguese was particularly active on the left wing, and had two clear chances in the first fifteen minutes. The first, a fierce strike cleared by the Betis goalkeeper for a corner and the second, following up after Khedira’s shot. Mourinho’s players were clearly on top, while Betis sat deep and waited for the counter-attack.

An isolated move from the home side, who up until then had not shown up in attack, provided the clash’s only goal in the seventeenth minute. Beñat gathered a clearance by Di María in the penalty arc, went past Khedira and beat Casillas with a tight shot at the post. The Whites’ captain was unable to keep it out. Betis were sure of their plan: prevent Mourinho’s players from playing in the midfield and look for speedy counter-attacks. In the twenty-second minute Ruben Castro entered the area and struck the ball fiercely, but Casillas cleared the danger confidently.

With the scoreboard against them, Real Madrid continued to seek the home side’s goal with intent. Faced by a congested midfield, they sought to create danger down the wings, and the left wing in particular with Cristiano Ronaldo. The thirty-first minute saw one of the first half’s most clear chances. Di Maria was the protagonist after a one-two with Özil, but his shot deflected off the Betis defence and went over. The Whites dominated and sought the goal through all possible means, including free kicks. In the thirty-seventh minute Alonso took a free kick from the wing and Benzema’s finish ended up in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out due to being offside.

Real Madrid still had 45 minutes to stage a fight back. Mourinho therefore made substitutions and brought on Modric and Kaka in place of Khedira and Özil. Both attempted to lend a spark to the Whites’ attack, and to a certain extent succeeded in doing so in the first moments of the second half. The Whites were on top and even Coentrão was a danger on the left-hand side. The only thing that was missing was the goal. One of the many moves by the Whites’ attack ended in a goal by Benzema, who collected an assist from Modric from a legal position, although the referee had blown for offside.

The attacks took place increasingly often and were becoming more and more dangerous for Adrian. The Betis goalkeeper became the home side’s hero by preventing two clear Madrid opportunities. First, he cleared a shot from the right by Cristiano, who made the most of a great pass behind the Andalusian defence in the sixtieth minute. Two minutes later, Kaka did not hesitate and shot for goal, but Adrian cleared. Real Madrid looked for the equaliser and Callejon joined the cause, replacing Di Maria with 27 minutes of the match remaining.

The pace of the clash slowed as the minutes ticked by. The reason; the excessive interruptions in the match due to fouls and the increasing fatigue of both teams. Despite Real Madrid being in control, Betis created chances on the counter-attack. Salva Sevilla cut in inside the area and was close to scoring the team’s second in the seventieth minute and two minutes later Ruben Castro shot wide after quick play by Jorge Molina. Meanwhile, the Whites attempted to score from free kicks. Ramos and Pepe came close to equalising from crosses by Xabi Alonso. In the eighty-second minute, Adrian cleared a fierce strike by Cristiano Ronaldo from a direct free kick.

The chances were becoming increasingly clear and Benzema had the opportunity to score the equaliser five minutes from the end. The French forward shot in the goalmouth after a header by Pepe, but once again Adrian prevented the goal. The Whites finished the match with long balls in search of a goal but this time around it was not to be. In the last move of the clash, the referee failed to award a penalty for a handball by Nosa after a cross by Kaka. Real Madrid now move on to thinking about the second leg of the last-sixteen clash in the Spanish Cup against Alcoyano, which will be their third match in as many competitions in less than a week.

Summary

Stadium: Benito Villamarin
Attendance: 35,000
Goals: 1-0 min.7 Beñat.

Mourinho: "Champions League is the Special One"

Jose Mourinho gave an interview to the British TV 'Sky Sports' and said that "the Champions League is the Special One". Real Madrid coach went through his entire career in the competition and stated that "the Champions League title won with Inter Milan was the best moment of my career". It was the first of the Italian team in 40 years and Mourinho admitted that "it was a special moment for the president Moratti and for a group of players who, by age, only had that opportunity to win the Champions League. We really enjoyed it", said Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho

"The day after the elimination in the Champions League against Bayern Munich was a bad day managing Real Madrid but you can not mourn for a week. But when you stop to think about it, a semifinal defeat in a penalty shoot-out hurts", said Mourinho in the interview. Jose Mourinho also spoke of the current situation being experienced by Real Madrid in the Champions League after sorting. "Real Madrid wants the Tenth European Cup and I look for my third with a different team. That would be special to me. Calmly we will succeed" he said.

Real Madrid has gone on to the last-16 round as runner-up of the group. Maybe a problem because white team will have to face against a winner of other group and will play the second leg away from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. This situation does not worry Jose Mourinho.

First, because Mourinho has won two Champions League after classifying his teams as runners-up. In the 2003-04 season, Porto was behind Real Madrid in Group F. Portuguese team only lost one match (against Real Madrid, 1-3), drew two and won three. In the last-16 round, won the first leg against Manchester United 2-1, and managed a draw 1-1 in England. Olympique Lyon was their next opponent. Porto beat French team 2-0 at the Portuguese city and tie again (2-2) in France. In the semifinals, also played first at home against Deportivo La Coruña (0-0) and won the match played in Spain (0-1). In the final, Monaco was no match for the Mourinho's team, so Porto achieved the second European Cup of its history.

With Inter Milan, six years later, Mourinho repeated the way: from the second place in Group F, behind Barcelona (with only two wins, three draws and one defeat) to lift the trophy at the Bernabeu stadium. Like Porto, Inter faced the three knock-out rounds with field disadvantage. In the first, knocked Chelsea (2-1 in Milan, 0-1 in London). In the quarter-finals defeated CSKA Moscow (1-0 in the first leg, and 0-1 in the Russian field). And, in the semifinals against Barcelona, 3-1 at San Siro and 1-0 in the Camp Nou. Finally, 2-0 against Bayern Munchen in the final match, played in Madrid.

It was his last game with Inter before signing for Real Madrid. With Whites he has reached the semifinals in his first two seasons, winning the group stage in both. In this season, Mourinho's team will play the first knock-out round against an opponent to be determined, and that in the worst case could be Bayern Munchen (the tormentor last season) or Manchester United. Shakhtar and Juventus would be hard teams, but less complicated. The other options are Porto or PSG (group A) and Schalke or Arsenal (group B). Potential rivals, although they seem far from the level of the major candidates to lift the trophy in the final at Wembley, on 25 May 2013.

Manchester City 1 - 1 Real Madrid (Champions League, Day 5)

Real Madrid drew against Manchester City in their first official visit to the English team and sealed their qualification to the Champions League round of 16. The Whites, who had an outstanding first half in which they shot 12 times, went in at halftime with an advantage following Benzema’s goal, but the Citizens equalised the match in the second half after Agüero converted an unjust penalty that involved the expulsion of Arbeloa. The Whites endured almost 20 minutes a man down (the referee added five minutes) at the Etihad Stadium, where the home team made it 20 matches unbeaten in European competition, and sealed their place in the next round in Mourinho’s 100th Champions League match.

Karim Benzema scored the Real Madrid goal

The champions of the two biggest leagues in the world faced one another with two very different objectives. Real Madrid were looking to qualify for the round of 16 and trying to do so as group leaders, while City were playing for sheer survival in the continental showpiece. A defeat at the Etihad Stadium would have meant that they were virtually out of the tournament. Aware of their opponents’ greater needs and the support given to the English team off of the pitch, Real Madrid started with the premise of keeping possession of the ball and wearing the Citizens down.

Those tactics worked like a charm in the first half for Jose Mourinho, who today became centenarian in the competition. Di María, who along with Khedira was one of the changes to the Portuguese’s starting line-up from the last match, passed from the right in the 10th minute to Benzema who put the ball into the net with his first touch. 0-1. Real Madrid made tournament history by becoming the only team to have scored in 15 consecutive away matches and the Frenchman was up to his old tricks again after his display against Athletic.

From that moment onwards City disappeared from the match and the Whites kept increasing their superiority. In fact, the visitors had three chances to extend their lead in just four minutes. Khedira, very active throughout the match, had the first two following accurate Ronaldo crosses from the left, but both of the German’s shots went wide: the first with his right foot in the 13th minute and the second with his head minutes later. Nevertheless, the clearest fell at the boots of the Portuguese in a move almost identical to the one that ended in a goal at the Signal Iduna Park against Borussia Dortmund. A great pass in behind the centre backs by Xabi Alonso (in Germany it was Özil who made the pass) and the Portuguese found himself alone in front of Hart in the 16th minute. His subsequent chip only failed to produce a goal thanks to the good fortune of Nastasic, who cleared the ball off of the line. The attacking display was forceful and Real Madrid who created almost all of the dangerous moves of the first half, went into the break having had 12 shots (including seven on goal) against only three from their opponents (one on target).

The script of the match changed completely in the second half. Manchester City their lines pushed forward and the match became more end-to-end. The home team, which on 60 minutes had three forwards on the pitch (Agüero, Dzeko and Tévez), went for broke and left gaps at the back that Real Madrid tried to take advantage of on the counterattack. Khedira, following another Ronaldo cross was again close to scoring with his head, but Hart caught the ball in the 57th minute. The warning from the visitors livened up the home team. A Maicon cross-shot found Agüero alone in front of goal at the far post. A miraculous Casillas blocked the shot in the 64th minute and prevented the scores from being brought level.

He could not do the same again nine minutes later. Gianluca Rocchi gave a penalty for a nonexistent Arbeloa shirt-tug against Agüero and also showed a second yellow to Whites’ academy player. The Argentine converted from the sport and Mourinho immediately replaced Benzema, who left the field in some discomfort, with Varane. From then until the end, Real Madrid suffered for 20 minutes with ten men (the referee added five minutes), but earned a valuable draw at the Etihad Stadium which means that they qualify for the round of 16.

Summary

Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 47,826
Goals: 0-1 min. 10 Benzema; 1-1 min. 74 Agüero (pen).

Real Madrid 5 - 1 Athletic Bilbao (Spanish League, Day 12)

Real Madrid are in cruise control in the league. The Whites thrashed Athletic, last season’s cup and Europa League runners-up, entertained the Bernabéu and secured their fifth straight win in the championship four days before the important Champions League match against City. The match was an attacking exhibition from the home team, who scored five goals, smashed the ball against the woodwork and saw two of the Basque side’s defenders make goal line stops preventing the advantage being even greater. An Aurtenetxe own goal and goals from Ramos and Benzema had settled the match in just over half an hour. Ibai, just before half-time, reduced the arrears, but Özil and Khedira in the second half closed out the match. The Frenchman deserved a special mention on his return to the pitch: he made the first goal, scored the third, and got the assist for the fourth and provoked a constant feeling of fear in the opposing defence. The ovation that his fans gave when he was replaced by Morata spoke for itself.

Karim Benzema celebrating his goal against Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid returned to the Santiago Bernabeu eleven days after their previous home match. It has been impregnable so far this season, and was once again with Benzema and Modric as the changes in Mourinho’s eleven following last weekend’s important victory in the City of Valencia Stadium. It was a combination of these two players that put Real Madrid ahead in the 12th minute. A precision pass from the Croatian from inside his own half which the Frenchman took out of the air on the edge of the area and Aurtenetxe, whilst attempting to clear the ball, chipped the ball over Iraizoz, who is half way out of his goal. It was the first chance of the match for the Whites. Ronaldo, on two consecutive occasions (4th and 5th minutes), and Callejón in the 7th minute had chances before the goal.

The goal spurred the home team on greatly who had played the first fifteen minutes well enough to deserve a bigger advantage on the scoreboard. Another chance for Ronaldo came in the 13th minute and an even clearer one for Callejon, who bamboozled the centre-back Ekiza on the goal-line and went around the visitors’ keeper but couldn’t score. Athletic tried to improve their game by concentrating on ball control, but their goal was still under constant threat. The next chance didn’t come from any of the attacking players, instead it was Ramos, who joined the attack from a corner taken by Özil and forced Iraizoz into making a miraculous one-handed save in the 23rd minute. It was the prelude to the second goal of the night, which came seven minutes later. The play was similar to the earlier one. Özil took the free-kick and Ramos full length diving header gave him his first Real Madrid goal of the season.

The match looked to be decided and soon took the home team increased the lead in what was a work of art. In the 32nd minute, Xabi Alonso, smarter than anyone, took quick free-kick on the edge of the area, Callejón controlled the ball and gave it to Benzema. The Frenchman received the ball with his back to goal and with Ekiza on top of him, he set up the ball and with the outside of his foot and from out wide he turned and beat Iraizoz with a beautiful left-footed curler. The Frenchman could not have be more precise on his return to the field: he caused the first goal and scored the third in just over half an hour of play (later getting the assist to the fourth scored by Özil), combined well with his teammates and caused a constant feeling of fear in the opposing defence. The match seemed settled and came even closer to being so following cross from Ronaldo that Callejón his against the post, but Athletic did not want to give up so soon and Ibai, in the first shot on goal from the visitors reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute. 3-1. The advantage at the break was significant, but not unassailable.

The first chances of the second half, despite Bielsa opting to bring on Llorente and play with two strikers, were for the home team. The tireless Ronaldo, who played despite the injury that he suffered from the elbow he received against Levante, shot again from the edge of the area, but Iraizoz caught the ball. The Whites did not miss in the next dangerous play which came in the 58th minute. Benzema controlled the ball with his heel outside the area, and saw the arrival of Özil out of the corner of his eye and puts the ball on a plate for German who only had to put it to the net. 4-1 and Real Madrid were enjoying playing in their stadium. Benzema display was lethal and the Frenchman almost got another deserved goal but Aurtenetxe made a goal line clearance. The Frenchman’s control with the outside of his foot and chip over the visiting keeper in the 58th minute deserved a better outcome.

Khedira, who had replaced his compatriot Özil in 60th minute, did manage to get another. The German received the ball from Arbeloa, who controlled the flanks dangerously throughout the match, and with his first shot on goal in the 72nd beat Iraizoz at the far post. 5-1 and, as Ramos did in the first half, the German international opened his goal-scoring account this season. Two minutes later Mourinho took off Benzema for Morata and the ovation that the Bernabéu gave them both was thunderous. It was deserved for a team that secured its fifth straight win in the league just four days before the important Champions League match against Manchester City.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 76,000
Goals: 1-0, m.12: Aurtenetxe (o.g.). 2-0, m.30: Ramos. 3-0, m.32: Benzema. 3-1, m.42: Ibai Gomez. 4-1, m.56: Özil. 5-1, m.67: Khedira.

Levante 1 - 2 Real Madrid (Spanish League, Day 11)

Real Madrid played their seventh game in just over three weeks (one game every three days) in Valencia. The Whites were able to overcome four important injuries, a pitch that made passing the ball extremely difficult due to the heavy rainfall that the city experienced throughout the day and a stadium where no team has been able to beat the home side (they have won 8 times and drawn once). Ronaldo, who was taken off after the first half possibly due to the wound he suffered to his eyebrow caused by David Navarro at the beginning of the encounter, put the visitors ahead in the twenty-first minute and Angel, halfway through the second half, brought the teams level. The Whites, who missed a penalty and hit the crossbar twice, settled the match in the eighty-fourth minute, once again from a free kick. Morata, who had substituted Özil one minute earlier, headed Xabi Alonso’s free kick with his first touch of the ball on his debut in the first team and sealed the fourth consecutive victory in the championship before the international break.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal with the wound he suffered in his eyebrow 

Jose Mourinho made up for the injuries to Higuaín and Benzema by playing Ronaldo as a centre forward, although at times he switched positions with Callejon and Di María. The formula supplied the desired result in a match that started with another incident and not just because of the pitch, which made playing football complicated. Ronaldo, who had the first chance of the match with a shot from an angle that Munua stopped in the second minute, was struck by the elbow of David Navarro when jumping for the ball and began to bleed from the injury. Ronaldo was attended to by the doctors on the sidelines for five minutes before returning to the field.

The Portuguese did not let the home side off the hook with the next chance that fell to him. A free kick taken by Xabi Alonso was cleared by David Navarro, who got ahead of Pepe, but only into the six-yard area. Ronaldo, well-positioned, controlled it with his thigh and fired it past Munua without letting the ball tough the ground in the twenty-first minute. 0-1 and the Portuguese, who is now the seventh best goal scorer in the club’s history in the championship (124 goals), scored a goal in one of the few stadiums where he had not scored in La Liga.

The match lacked chances, the pitch preventing them on many occasions, and the best alternative was free kicks, but the intensity of the match was severe. The fight for each free ball was immense and the two teams gave their all in search of their teams respective interests. Ramos’s attempt in the forty-second minute after a cross from Callejon was the last chance of note in the first half. Real Madrid headed to the changing rooms with the slightest of advantages, but an extremely important advantage given the difficult playing conditions.

The second half began with a change and a scare. Ronaldo, probably due to the spectacular blow he received to his left eyelid, was replaced by Albiol and, in the first minute of the second half Levante were the first team to create a chance. A powerful strike by Juanlu from 20 metres brought a spectacular stretching save from Casillas. The Whites did not take long to respond and did so three times in one minute. A long ball to Di María was played on to Callejon, whose shot was cleared by Munua for a corner in the fifty-sixth minute. The Argentine took the resulting corner and attempted to surprise the home side’s goalkeeper with a shot from the corner, but once again the Uruguayan cleared. Another corner and another chance. Özil took the corner on this occasion and Pepe, on his own in the six-yard area, headed it and hit the crossbar having beaten the home side’s goalkeeper.

This was Real Madrid’s best period of play and only the posts prevented the visitors from scoring. Munua failed to clear another corner kick, which was taken by Di Maria, and the ball was loose among a sea of legs. Ramos backheeled intelligently, but the ball ricocheted off Diop and hit the crossbar once again in the sixtieth minute. It was the second time the crossbar had prevented the Whites from scoring in barely four minutes. Di Maria also had an opportunity in the sixty-first minute, but failed to hit the target after beating the goalkeeper with a chip.

This all took place in the build to the equaliser, which was undeserved due to what was taking place on the pitch. A long ball found Martins, who passed the ball to Angel, who beat Casillas with a chipped shot in the one-on-one in the sixty-second minute. Mourinho didn’t take long to react, removing Arbeloa from the match and bringing on Kaka; more attacking force in an attempt to push for victory. The Brazilian’s first touch provided Callejon with an opportunity to score, but the reserve team player was brought down from behind and Muñiz Fernandez pointed to the penalty spot. Xabi Alonso took the penalty, which was saved by Munua in the seventy-second minute.

Alvaro Morata scored the goal of the victory

From that moment until the end of the match the visitors continued to create chances and the deserved goal arrived eventually. Morata, who had replaced Özil in the eighty-third minute, settled the encounter with his first touch of the ball. The goal came, once again, from a free kick. Xabi Alonso took the free kick and the reserve team player headed the ball on his debut in the first team and sealed the victory before the international break.

Summary

Stadium: Ciudad de Valencia
Attendance: 25,354
Goals: 0-1 min.25 Cristiano Ronaldo; 1-1 min. 63 Angel; 1-2 min. 85 Morata.

Real Madrid 2 - 2 B. Dortmund (Champions League, Day 4)

Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund played an exciting match in the Bernabeu. The Whites were losing until the 89th minute, but managed to equalise in a match that they deserved to win from what they showed in the second half. Reus put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute and, as happened in Dortmund, Real Madrid needed little time to level up the match. Pepe, five minutes later, scored his first goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League. On half-time, luck was against the team and Arbeloa, whilst attempting to clear the ball, scored the away team’s second goal. The second half was one-sided in favour of the home team their effort got what it deserved with a great Özil goal from a direct free-kick. The Whites, who had a goal from Callejon wrongfully disallowed, are just one point off of the lead and are ahead of their next two opponents Ajax and Manchester City who are on three on five points respectively. All to play for in the 'group of death'.

Real Madrid could not defeat Dortmund for the second time

League champions and top scorer this season's Champions League against the Bundesliga winners and one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the competition. A great night of football was on offer in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and the match did not disappoint anyone. With Varane and Xabi Alonso as the only changes from the previous match, Real Madrid made their intentions clear from the beginning. In fact, Higuaín had the first chance of the match following a long pass from Ramos but he missed by inches in a one-on-one with Weidenfeller. The Germans did not flinch at this initial warning and they continued to play their own game with the ball at their feet.

The match was balanced, exciting and very back and forth. It was played at a frantic pace and the chances came one after another. Schmelzer, following a great assist from Reus, found himself in front of Casillas, but the Whites’ ‘keeper successfully stopped the shot in the 9th minute. The home team had an opportunity 13 minutes later. Higuain’s lay off for Ronaldo who he arriving in the area, but the Portuguese’s shot went over the bar.

Everything indicated that there were goals on there way. That is what happened, although it was the Germans who struck first in the 28th minute. A long pass which was flicked on with a head from Lewandowski and Reus controlled the ball with his chest and finished with a sharply taken volley. 0-1 and everything going against the home team. It was the moment to react and the Whites did so, as they did in the previous match played in Dortmund. In Signal Iduna Park the reply came two minutes later, today it took four more to level the match. Varane won the ball on the edge of the opposition’s penalty area and played the ball to Özil, who crossed from the right wing. Pepe, who had gone up for the corner in the preceding passage of the play, finished with a header. 1-1 and the Portuguese’s first goal in the Champions League for Real Madrid. The defender kissed the club’s crest in celebration and lifted the Santiago Bernabeu crowd who increased the decibels hoping for the winning goal.

Real Madrid pressed and tried to put the Borussia on the ropes, but when it seemed as though the break would arrive with the scores level, the Germans’ second goal came. It was very similar to the away team’s first goal. Hummels again cleared the ball long and Lewandowski flicked it on. The ball fell at the feet of Grosskreutz, who played a perfect first touch pass for the arriving Götze. The Whites had some bad luck as Arbeloa, whilst attempting to clear the ball, put it passed Casillas in the 45th minute.

Real Madrid made two changes at the break. Mourinho brought on Essien and Callejón for Modric and Higuaín, who had been clutching the back of the leg repeatedly during the first half. The Whites’ academy player needed just two minutes to score, but the goal was wrongfully ruled-out for offside. The Whites were completely blowing Borussia away. Real Madrid had two more chances inside the first quarter of an hour, both falling to the newly introduced Callejón, but he shot wide with the first in the 49th and straight at Weidenfeller with the other in the 60th minute.

The Whites’ coach, bravely went for broke and brought off Arbeloa for Kaka in the 76th minute. Three minutes later the Brazilian took the ball into the box and handed laid it off to Di Maria, who tried a pass with the outside of his foot and Ronaldo, in front of goal, saw his shot stopped by an inspired by Weidenfeller. The home side’s dominance was overwhelming and the Whites continued to great chances. Bad luck prevented them getting the equalising goal. That is the only way to explain how they did not score in the 85th minute. Callejon shot from inside the area and with the goalkeeper beaten Schmelzer appeared on the goal line and cleared the ball. The Whites did not give up and their efforts got their deserved reward in the 89th minute with a great goal for Özil from a direct free-kick. Another epic win was on, but it was not possible. Real Madrid, who are only one point off of the lead, are three points ahead of Ajax and five in front of Manchester City, who are their next two opponents.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 76,000
Goals: 0-1, m.28: Reus; 1-1, m.35: Pepe; 1-2, m.45: Arbeloa (o.g.); 2-2, m.88: Özil.

Real Madrid 4 - 0 Zaragoza (Spanish League, Day 10)

Real Madrid secured their sixth straight win in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium against Zaragoza, where they remain unbeaten. The Whites took less than half an hour to decide the match. Higuaín, in the 23rd minute, put his team ahead, scoring in his third straight match and Di María celebrated his 100th official match two minutes later. In the second half, Essien scored the third in the 89th minute and Modric completed the scoring in added time. The Whites’ third straight match without conceding a goal in the championship, who are now, along with Malaga, the team which has conceded the fewest goals in the competition. Also, Mourinho's 100th win, which makes him the coach who has reached this commendable figure the quickest. Excellent news ahead of the match this Tuesday against Dortmund as they mount their assault for the lead of the group in the Champions League.

Modric and Essien scored for the first time playing with Real Madrid jersey

Real Madrid could not have started the penultimate month of the year better. The Whites thrashed Zaragoza, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu hoping to make it three consecutive victories. With Albiol as a starter in centre of the defence and Essien y Modric sharing central midfield, the Whites dominated from the start and with the intention of getting their sixth straight win at home, where they remain unbeaten. At least that was what they showed in the first 20 minutes, in which the home team had two chances against the team from Aragon’s zero. Both chances came in the form of Ronaldo headers, but the first went just inches wide of the goal defended by Roberto in the 14th minute and the second, in the 18th, went high.

Zaragoza took their time to create a threat on Casillas' goal, but did so with dangerous diagonal shot from Helder Postiga in the 20th minute forcing the Whites’ academy player into a great full length dive to save it. The move woke Real Madrid up, who inside just five minutes decided the game. Higuaín was the first to score in the 23rd minute. Modric was responsible for taking the corner and Albiol headed towards goal. Roberto’s stop deserved a better result for the visitors, but the Argentine was there and he intelligently picked up the keeper’s deflection to score at his pleasure from the goal line. The third match in a row in which El Pipa has found the back of the net.

The second came thanks to Di María two minutes later and it was the best reward for his persistence. His initial cross hit Abraham, but the rebound fell back at El Fideo’s feet, who shot with a volley and again for a third time to beat Roberto, who had thwarted the Argentine’s second attempt. The first half-hour of the match was not yet completed and Real Madrid had already taken a decisive lead in the match with two goals that showed the strength of the punch that they can pack. They could have even got the third in the 27th minute but Ronaldo’s shot went wide of the far post from inside the area. It was the last clear chance to either team before the break.

Zaragoza came out braver in the second half, but their attacks were either foiled by the solid home defence or by an inspired Casillas. The latter is what happened when Víctor Rodríguez released a venomous shot in the 58th minute which was met with a superb response from the Whites’ keeper. The visitors went closer five minutes later, but the shot of José Mari from the edge of the area crashed against the crossbar.

Real Madrid turned their attentions to putting the match to bed, knowing that in three days they have a demanding match in the Champions League. Things went perfectly to plan and in the final minutes they finished off their opponent. Ronaldo, found the crossbar with a long range free-kick in the 84th minute which was a great introduction for what was to come. Essien, in the 89th minute, and Modric, in added time, scored their first goals for the club and completed the rout. The sixth consecutive home win and third straight match in which the Whites have finished with a clean sheet in the competition. Excellent news ahead of the match this Tuesday against Dortmund as they mount their assault for the lead of the group in the Champions League.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 72,000
Goals: 1-0 min. 23 Higuain; 2-0 min. 25 Di Maria; 3-0 min.89 Essien; 4-0 min. 92 Modric.