Real Madrid 4 - 1 Ajax (Champions League, Day 6)

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium remains the undefeated fortress that it has been during the past two Champions League campaigns. Although Real Madrid were already qualified for the round of 16, their badge brings with it an inherent competitiveness to every match, in every competition. They performed perfectly and were led by Modric, who played what was possibly his best match since arriving in the Spanish capital. In less than half an hour the Whites had already decided the match with two goals. The first came from Ronaldo in the 13th minute and the second from Callejon in the 28th minute and they had also crashed the ball against the post through Coentrao. In the three passages of play the Croatian played a key role. At the beginning of the second half today’s captain, Kaka, joined the show and scored the match’s most spectacular goal and Real Madrid’s 950th in European competition. Boerrigter reduced the arrears for the Dutch side, which despite the defeat achieved their aim of qualifying for the Europa League, and Callejón capped off the scoring in the 88th minute. The Whites now wait to find out their opponents in the round of 16. In two weeks they will find out.

Kaka played and scored again for Real Madrid

Real Madrid, having already qualified for the round of 16, finished the group stage by playing against Ajax for the sixth time in the last three seasons. The history of the previous five matches foretold of the Whites’ victory and their on-field efforts met with those expectations. With academy player Nacho, who made his Champions League debut, in the starting line-up, the Whites blew the opposition away in the opening stages and only thirteen minutes in they had already had a Benzema goal disallowed in the 7th minute, hit the post through Coentrao in the 10th and also gone ahead on the scoreboard. Cristiano Ronaldo was the scorer, although Modric may deserve some of the credit for the steal that he made before giving the ball to Benzema. The Frenchman, after bringing the high ball under control, set up the Portuguese.

The match could not have been going better for the home team, who were close to scoring the second from a solo Benzema run, but a Coentrao suffered from a pulled muscle and Mourinho was forced to make the first change of the match in the 21st minute. Pepe replaced his compatriot. The Whites continued with their positive momentum and before the half hour mark they managed to widen the gap on the scoreboard. Modric saw Callejon lose his marker and put him through with a pass from inside his own half. The academy player did not waste the Croatian’s gift, and, after bringing the ball down and setting himself, he hit the ball into the far corner beyond Vermeer in the 28th minute. 2-0. Real Madrid, guided by Modric, were putting on a show for their fans to enjoy and they also managed to completely cancel out Ajax’s efforts and they finished the first half without having had a shot on goal.

The second half began with a gift to the Real Madrid fans. With just four minutes played today’s captain, Kaka, received the ball on the edge of the box and pulled a left-footed shot out of the hat and Vermeer could only watch as the Brazilian’s shot threaded its way through the crowd and nestled in the back of his net. The goal had added significance because it was the Whites’ 950th goal in European competition.

Boerrigter, with a volley, reduced the gap in the 60th minute and Callejon put the icing on the cake for the home team in the 88th minute after heading home a precise cross from Morata. Both teams achieved their aims. Ajax qualified for this season's Europa League (the final will be played at the Amsterdam Arena) and Real Madrid finished the group stage with a win and are unbeaten in their stadium for a ninth consecutive match. The Whites now wait to find out who they will face in the round of 16. They will find out in two weeks.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 58,000
Goals: 1-0, m.13: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-0, m.28: Callejon. 3-0, m.49: Kaka. 3-1, m.60: Boerrigter. 4-1, m.88: Callejon.

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid (Spanish League, Day 14)

The history of the derby shows that they cannot be predicted, but the script for recent derbies against Atletico de Madrid since 1999, above all at the Santiago Bernabeu, tends to repeat the same ending and joy for the Whites’ supporters. It was not a beautiful game, but an important morale booster for the home side, who aim to win every match they play in the last month of the year. Cristiano Ronaldo, who played magnificently, opened the scoring with a straight shot from 35 metres that will possibly be the goal of the weekend because of its importance and beauty, while Özil, after a great assist by Ronaldo, scored the second and match-winning goal. Real Madrid remain unbeaten at home this season and have gone a year unbeaten at the Bernabeu. Matches like today’s lead us to think that this spectacular run still has plenty of legs.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal of the match

Real Madrid started December with the first derby of the season at home. The Whites started with a desire to demonstrate why they are unbeaten at home this season and the fans that had packed into the stadium wanted to play a determining role in the push for victory. Pressing very high up and preventing the opponent’s defence from playing the ball out easily, each fifty-fifty ball was a battle of life and death. The Bernabeu applauded the effort of their players. Perhaps it was because of this that the fans were in rapture after the first dangerous move of the match for the home side. An amazing goal by Cristiano Ronaldo from 35 metres was his way of thanking the fans for their constant support. The Portuguese, who celebrated as he knows best his recent candidacy in the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, placed the ball with care and struck the free kick so accurately that the stretch of the tall Courtois (1.95 m) could not prevent the ball from finding the back of the net in the fifteenth minute.

The match was set up to the Whites’ liking, with an advantage on the scoreboard and the home fans supporting the cause. Despite having the option of the counterattack, possibly the best in the world, they did not want to lose control of the ball and their determination to continue dominating a game unlike many others was clear in each action. There were few chances before reaching the end of the first half. One for Atletico that was cleared by Casillas, showing off his reflexes after a shot from Falcao in the thirteenth minute and another for Cristiano Ronaldo, the home side’s second chance alongside the goal, when the Portuguese player put pressure on Courtois by shooting from practically the halfway line in the thirty-sixth minute.

The second half was as hard-fought at the first. Fouls were committed constantly in the midfield and minutes without a stoppage in the game were few and far between. Despite this Real Madrid was the only team that put pressure on the rival penalty area in the first quarter of an hour. A move by Özil and Benzema ended in a cross-shot by the French player that was cleared by Courtois in the forty-eighth minute. Another run by the German player ended in a left-footed shot by Cristiano Ronaldo that went wide in the fifty-fourth minute and a shot from a free kick forced the Belgian goalkeeper to be at full stretch to prevent a goal in the sixtieth minute.

These chances took place during the build up to the second goal of the night, a goal that brought calm to the Bernabeu’s stands. The move was started by Benzema, who backheeled to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese once again found the French player, but Godín read his intentions and intercepted the ball. This was no obstacle for Cristiano Ronaldo, however, who regained the ball and set up Özil, who corrected his poor first touch with the volley that put the ball in the back of the net in the sixty-fifth minute. 2-0 and Cristiano Ronaldo was the decisive factor: a goal and an assist capped a performance worthy of being framed.

The Portuguese’s performance, which was the best part of the match, was not over yet. With fifteen minutes of the match to go, another shot from the Portuguese crashed into the crossbar from a free kick after a magisterial individual move from Benzema that forced Miranda to bring down the Frenchman on the edge of the area. Four minutes later Ronaldo found the post again after a magnificent assist from Özil, who wanted to return the favour of the second goal to the Portuguese. There was not time for much else, except from the appearance of the reserve team player Jose Rodriguez, who made his league debut. Real Madrid, who are yet to be defeated at home this season, are unbeaten in La Liga at the Bernabeu for a year. Matches like today lead us to think that this spectacular run still has plenty of legs.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance:79,500
Goals: 1-0 min.15 Cristiano Ronaldo; 2-0 min.66 Özil.

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Alcoyano (Spanish Cup, Last 32)

Real Madrid made their home debut in the current edition of the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) with a goalfest. A goal from Di Maria and a brace from Callejon, all in the second half, were enough to defeat Alcoyano and send Real Madrid through to the round of sixteen. The Whites, who began the match with academy players making up more than half the line up (six), have scored in their last 13 matches in the tournament and remain unbeaten on home ground this season in the dozen matches they've played with eight wins and two draws. In addition to the great score and qualification, Jose Rodriguez played a great match and Cheryshev made his first-team debut in an official match, being the first Russian to do so. Furthermore, the game marked Mourinho's 400th official win as a manager. Real Madrid's rival in the next stage will be the winner of the clash between Almeria and Celta.

Callejon and Di Maria were the most valuable players of the match

Real Madrid made its debut in the only official competition in which it had yet to embark at home following the Spanish Super Cup, la Liga and the Champions League. It did so with a new starting line-up in which academy players filled more than half the positions. Notable among the young players trained in 'The Factory' were Cheryshev, who made his first team debut in an official match, becoming the first Russian to do so.

Mourinho had already made clear in the press room that it was not a matter of relying on the 1-4 first-leg score but winning and offering a great game for those that came to the Bernabeu. Real Madrid went out ready to put their coach's philosophy into practice, in spite of their difficult start to the match. Albiol, who was acting as captain, had to leave the field after a tackle from David Torres in the first minutes of the match. Coentrão went on in his place. It was the Portuguese who initiated the play that lead to their first chance at goal. Modric's on target volley from the front of the area was saved by a beautiful stretch from keeper Adrian Murcia in the 8th minute.

It was a twenty minute wait until the Whites' next opportunity at goal, despite their dominating the match. Academy player Nacho made a run and delivered a cross right to Cheryshev's feet. The player from the Russian national side overcame a visiting defender but was then stopped by the Alcoyano keeper. Callejón was unable to take advantage of the following rebound. He was also involved in the last incursion of the first half. The Whites' midfielder took a great free kick and Adrian Murcia replied in spectacular fashion. He left the ball loose but was back in place to clear Varane's subsequent shot for a corner. The visiting keeper was becoming the star of the match.

The Whites turned up the intensity in the second half, bearing down on their rivals with greater energy. As a result Alcoyano now struggled to make headway with the ball and the match became increasingly vertical. Morata almost opened the scoring from the front of the area after a great collective effort but his shot in the 60th went high. Di Maria's arrival a minute later, and Benzema's in the 70th lent the team even more bite.

From then on the Whites became a force to be reckoned with and the first goal now came quickly. Callejón made a run and delivered the ball to Benzema. The French player spotted Di María and assisted the Argentinian who then scored against an inspired Adrian Murcia in the 71st. Javi Selva complained to the referee and was given a second yellow card, leaving the visiting side a player short. The second goal almost came in the 87th but while the stands were already celebrating, Benzema's shot went high. They came even closer to the second goal a minute later when Di María hit the cross bar after a one-on-one with the keeper. When the second goal did arrive it was soon followed by a third. Both were scored by Callejon. The academy player took advantage of an assist from Özil to score his first in the 89th and another from Di Maria to seal the match in extra time. The Whiteshave scored in their last thirteen matches in the tournament and remain unbeaten on their home turf this season in the dozen matches they've played with eight wins and two draws. This Thursday they'll know who their next rival is, either Almeria or Celta.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 35,000
Goals:1-0, m.72: Di Maria. 2-0, m.89: Callejon. 3-0, m.92: Callejon.

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.