10.28.2011

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Villarreal (Spanish League Day 10)

Real Madrid scare their opponents. They step onto the pitch looking to seal matches from the very beginning. Mourinho's men asphyxiate rivals. Villarreal suffered Malaga's fate tonight, conceding 2 goals in the opening ten minutes. Real Madrid have already tallied 31 strikes in nine games, and they've only conceded six.

Di Maria scored the third Real Madrid goal against Villarreal
Angel Di Maria celebrates his goal against Villarreal

Every player pressurised the opponent after kick-off. Villarreal were scared and couldn't believe their eyes. Benzemamade the starting lineup and led the team's attack. The French striker scored the opener by subtly defeating Diego Lopez after receiving a long pass from Di Maria (5'). Five minutes later, Kaka controlled the ball outside the box with his back to goal, dribbled past Borja Valero and sent a powerful shot to the back of Villarreal's net. Real were winning 2-0 and there were still 80 minutes left in the game.

The Whites played a slower game, but Villarreal still didn't pose a threat. Real cleared a corner-kick on the 30-minute mark and the ball landed at Kaka's feet. The Brazilian gave it to Marcelo, who in turn passed it to Benzema. The French striker then assisted Di Maria with a spectacular long pass and the Argentine netted the team's third strike. The crowd simply went wild.

Real Madrid continued to dominate after half-time albeit at a slower pace. Villarreal still failed to take advantage of this and didn't even get close to the Madridistas' box. Mourinho made Ozil come on for Di Maria in the 69th minute. Villarreal had more possession but still failed to pose a threat on Casillas' goal. The locals simply waited to steal the ball and surprise Diego Lopez in a counterattack.

Benzema received a standing ovation when he came off for Higuain on the 74-minute mark and the crowd extended it for the Argentine striker. Arbeloa had a chance to score five minutes later, but Lopez managed to clear his shot. Moments later, Alonso was replaced by Coentrao, who also received a standing ovation.

In the end, Real just needed a brilliant first half to earn their fifth consecutive victory in La Liga. They will look to seal a perfect run in October on Saturday against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 55,000
Goals: 1-0, m.6: Benzema; 2-0, m.11: Kaka; 3-0, m.30: Di Maria.

10.23.2011

Malaga 0 - 4 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 9)

Forty-five minutes of brilliant football and a thunderous performance from Cristiano Ronaldo were all Real Madrid needed to score four goals against Malaga at La Rosaleda. The Whites have tallied 28 strikes in only eight games; Ronaldo has scored ten goals and Higuain nine.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored another hat-trick for Real Madrid

Higuain and Kaka were in the starting lineup. The start to the game was stroppy and each side could have been awarded a penalty. Real Madrid stepped up their performance and started to take control. Higuain soon scored the opener receiving the ball all on his own and defeating Ruben in a one-on-one (10'). The strike was a harsh blow to the locals and they never recovered form it.

Mourinho's men completely dominated the encounter and Di Maria soon served another assist, this time to Cristiano Ronaldo, who defeated Demichelis with a subtle touch on ball (23'). Still wanting more, the Madridistas continued attacking in search of more strikes. Xabi Alonso stole the ball in a throw-in and served it to Ronaldo, who defeated Ruben with a powerful shot. The goal silenced the stands at La Rosaleda.

The icing on the cake was yet to come: Di Maria took a corner-kick and Cristiano scored his third from an acrobatic heel shot (37'). The game was completely over and there was yet a whole half still to be played.

With nothing to lose, Malaga decided to attack, which is usually lethal against this Real Madrid side. Joaquin sent the ball to the crossbar on the 49-minute mark, but Higuain nearly scored a fifth from the ensuing effort.

Eliseu forced Casillas to make an amazing save (55'). Real Madrid patiently waited in defence hoping to maybe score more goals from fast counterattacks; Demichelis and Rondon had chances to score goals for Malaga thanks to this relaxation.

Mourinho noticed this and replaced Kaka with Ozil, but Malaga continue to put a siege on Casillas' goal. Benzema came on for Higuain in the 70th minute and the locals lowered the pace of their game in the final 20 minutes, proving to be less dangerous. Real Madrid took control again and Callejon came on for Di Maria on the 75-minute mark.

The locals nearly saved face by scoring a strike in the 78th minute through Seba Fernandez, who sent the ball to the crossbar. Ronaldo then nearly scored again, forcing Ruben to clear his free-kick with his fists (87'). In the end, Real Madrid took three points and earned a fourth straight win in La L:iga. Up next are Villarreal at the Bernabeu.

Summary

Stadium: La Rosaleda
Attendance: 34,500
Goals: 0 - 1, min.11, Higuaín. 0 - 2, min.23, Cristiano Ronaldo. 0 - 3, min.28, Cristiano Ronaldo. 0 - 4, min.38, Cristiano Ronaldo.
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