Wow what a match!! I could not take my eyes off for a second in case I missed a goal.
It was raining goals!!
It was an open, free flowing footballing extravaganza.
Real Madrid's forward line joined the party and all three strikers scored heavily.
The beauty of the match was that all the field goals - 8 in total ( plus 2 penalties ) were of a very high quality.
Cristiano Ronaldo got his hat trick, Gareth Bale scored two - his first of many goals I am sure that will be scored at the Bernabeu and our usual "villain" turned HERO today - Karim Benzema - chipping in with two well taken goals.
The two Sevilla field goals were of a very high class. The first Sevilla field goal started off from the half way line and the Sevilla player brought the ball all the way down to the Madrid end line before crossing it to his teammate who latched onto it and cracked the ball into the back of the net. The second Sevilla field goal was a beautiful curling ball which went around and beat Diego Lopez all ends up.
The match was beautiful in the true sense of the word. Sevilla kept coming back and launching counter attacks. They were thwarted by Diego Lopez on a few occasions by brilliant saves. The game ebbed and flowed. It was a game which saw the ball going from end to end. It was a match which was very thrilling to watch.
I suggest that anyone who likes "the beautiful game" take time to see the game. Its worth it.
The only criticism that I have is that the Real Madrid midfield and defence were woefully pathetic. The midfield was almost nonexistent and the defence were slow and could not keep pace with the Sevellian attacks. At one time it seemed that every Sevilla counter would bring about a goal unless Diego Lopez pulls off another brilliant save.
It seems that the Madrid midfield and the back four either can't pick out the plays or they are so slow and hopefully out of place that they can't get back fast enough. In the meanwhile, Sevilla would have scored or have their efforts blocked by Diego Lopez.
We welcomed back Xavi Alonso - added experience to the midfield.
The result brought 3 points. Good.
Nice way to come back after the Clasico fiasco. Good.
But Madrid is nowhere near ready or prepared to compete at the highest level. Worrisome.
After watching the match today, I would like to state that:-
Barcelona took four strikes at goal and scored twice. For your information, the other two were Neymar's volley which Diego Lopez saved and the other was the save off Dani Alves late in the second half.
On the other hand, Madrid claimed two penalties - the first a handball and the second the clear SHOVING of Cristiano Ronaldo off the ball in the penalty area. Atleast the SHOVE / PUSH should have been given.
Further Real Madrid did not have the luck of Champions. How many times they forced Valdes to pull off amazing saves - THREE.
And what about Karim Benzema's shot which rattled the cross bar?
The Footballing Gods were definitely not doing any favours to Madrid today.
But mortals witnessed that Real Madrid put up a great fight specially in the second half. They showed intensity and courage to come back at Barcelona.
Real Madrid could have won if they had taken their chances.
But Barcelona came away with the 3 points because they had luck going for them.
That's all that I am prepared to say.
In conclusion I will admire Alexis Sanchez's goal. The chip over Diego Lopez was brilliant, if not genius.
A great game and Real Madrid pulled off a good victory beating the reigning Italian Champions - Juventus 2-1 at home at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This victory virtually assures Madrid to go through to the quarter finals stage of the Champions League heading their Group.
The match started in a frenzy and in the 4th minute, Di Maria dribbled the ball from the right and came to the top Juve's area and passed the ball inside through to Ronaldo. Cristiano very skillfully, side stepped the charging Buffon ( Juventus's goalkeeper ) and put the ball into the back of the net - even though the angle was very acute. The goal was well constructed and elegantly finished.
The score was 1-0.
The goal galvanised the Italians. Juve started dominating possession of the ball and the midfield. Juventus had so much of the possession that sometimes, there were atleast two or three Italians around the ball with Real Madrid players nowhere to be seen.
It has to be said that Pirlo, Vidal and Martin Caceres were in total command of the game. They did not allow Real Madrid to build up any move and on the contrary, were quick to put their forwards on the counter attack.
With so much pressure being built up, it was inevitable that during this period of play was when Juventus scored. A floating ball found a Juve forward who crossed the ball to the far post. The ball beat the Madrid defenders in the air and the Juve player headed the ball towards the Madrid goal. Casillas had to make a diving save but in doing so, the ball fell in front of the goal line and Llorente tapped the ball into the back of the net - giving Casillas no chance to make a save.
It was a defensive lapse - first Marcelo was out place and could not prevent the ball from being crossed and secondly Arbeloa was not guarding the far post. These fundamental defensive problems have been a constant problem for Madrid this season so far.
The scores were level 1-1.
The match was fast paced and it was end to end football. Very exciting to watch. Around the 35th minute a high ball into the Juventus area saw Chiellini grappling Sergio Ramos around the neck and bringing him down in the penalty area. The linesman very bravely and correctly signaled the penalty to Madrid. Cristiano converted beating Buffon going the correct way - but the kick went into the top left hand corner of the net. Buffon had no chance.
In the process, Chiellini received a yellow card for bringing Sergio Ramos down in a wrestling hold.
The score at half time was 2-1 inMadrid's favour.
The second half started with Madrid in the driving seat. Shortly after the start, Ronaldo picked up a through ball and was going towards the goal when Chiellini elbowed him in the mouth and sent him falling to the ground. This brought out the red card and Chiellini was sent off.
With the sending off, the stuffing was knocked out of Juventus. With 10 men Juve could not compete - their players were exhausted. When Pirlo was substituted, Madrid roamed the pitch freely but could not score even though they had two great goal scoring chances.
The first chance came when Di Maria chipped the ball to Arbeloa who had come into the box behind the Juve defence and made a great pass across Buffon's goal line. However Benzema kicked the ball over the crossbar - missing an open goal - a "sitter" as some would say. The Madrid supporters did not like Benzema missing such an easy chance and voiced their feelings.
The second chance came when Khedira found himself inside the Juve area with only Buffon to beat. He tried chipping the ball over Buffon's head but the experienced Buffon was not to be fooled.
Benzema was substituted by Gareth Bale - who was only given about 20 minutes by Ancelotti. He made a few runs but nothing special.
Morata and Isco were brought in for Di Maria and Iyarramendi. With what little time they had, they played well.
Juventus continued to hold through the valiant efforts of Vidal and Martin Caceres. With only 10 men, they created two clear chances of goal but then with fatigue and being overwhelmed by the Madrid numerical superiority, they could not convert.
The match ended 2-1.
Two incidents stood out during the match which are worth noting. It tells the story of what Real Madrid stands for. The first came when Fernando Llorente was being substituted. You will remember Llorente used to play for Atletico Bilbao and this was his first match in Spain after his move abroad. The Madrid fans gave him a standing ovation for the hard work he put in and the goal that he scored. The second standing ovation was reserved for Pirlo. When Pirlo was walking off the field after being substituted, the Madrid fans clapped and acknowledged what a great footballer he is and has been all these years. Yes Madrid fans acknowledged the class of this great footballer.
Hopefully this victory will boost the team morale for Saturday's CLASSICO.
If Madrid wins on Saturday, they will be equal on points with Barcelona.
After many weeks watching Real Madrid struggle, today we saw a much better display from Madrid.
Real Madrid had the lion's share of the ball possession and created opportunities at will. The only flaw was they ( read Ronaldo ) could not convert.
The man who stood between Madrid and many goals was the Malaga Goalkeeper - Willy.
Today was not of one Cristiano's better days. He missed so many opportunities that when he took the penalty, I thought, that going by the flow of play, he would not convert. But luckily he did.
Madrid played flowing football and the standouts were Marcelo, Di Maria and Morata. Even Khedira played well. The flowing attacks produced wonderful play but the finishing touch kept eluding Madrid.
The first half ended goalless.
Almost at the beginning of the second half, Di Maria's cross found the back of the net as the Malaga Goalkeeper was distracted / blindsided by Cristiano's diving attempt to get a touch on the ball.
The game flowed at a frantic pace with Madrid launching one attack after another without much luck. Isco, Morata and Di Maria were substituted and we saw Modric, Bale and Jese enter the field of play.
Each played their own part and late in the second half, Bale was brought down inside the penalty area and Ronaldo converted.
I think the side fielded by Ancelotti was one of the better and stronger sides fielded by Madrid this season and it will great to see them play and gain confidence with one another.
This week with the EuropeanChampionship match and the Classico coming up, Madrid needs to stay focused and stay strong.
Hope this victory over Malaga will provide the necessary boost they need.
Have you heard? Karim Benzema is off to Arsenal for only $ 32million.
This is the news "hot" off the internet.
What wonderful news. Sr. Florentino Perez you have been given a second chance to redeem yourself.
Which combination will give Real Madrid a good chance for the "DECIMA"?
1. Sell Benzema and do nothing.
2. Sell Benzema and bid for Lewandowski ( or Diego Lopez ).
3. Sell Benzema and buy back Ozil.
4. Sell Benzema and bid for Lewandowski ( or Diego Lopez ) AND Ozil.
The million dollar question is - which alternative will you take Sr. Florentino Perez?
Again it was an anxious, nervous thriller for us - Madrid fans.
The Real Madrid supporters had to wait till the last minute of extra time for Cristiano Ronaldo to ensure a Madrid win with a shot that was deflected off a Levante defender to beat the Goalkeeper.
Do we have to suffer such? When can we see a comprehensive victory where Madrid dominates by playing great football?
The first Levante goal came in the 57 min when the Levante forward found himself in front of Diego Lopez and had no problems in putting in the back of the net. The chip lob pass for the goal was the product of a really cool headed play.
After a long time we saw Sergio Ramos equalize with his legs from a corner!! Yes you read correctly. He did not head in the corner as he usually does, but he found himself close to the far post and he had to jump and guide the ball in with his right foot. It was well taken. Good man.
Ramos had another scoring opportunity but the ball hit our dear Karim Benzema in front of theLevantegoal. For your information, Karim Benzema not only doesn't score goals, he now stops Madrid scoring goals!! Does Benzema play for Madrid or is he the original fifth columnist?
Levante's second goal was puzzling. Here was the Levante forward inside Madrid's area and was surrounded by 4 white shirts and ofcourse Diego Lopez. How this guy with his back to Diego Lopez, twisted and kicked ( scooped ) the ball into the net, I will never know. What were the 4 white shirts doing? Shocking that 4 so called word class defenders allowed this goal to be scored.
At the end of regulation time, Levante was ahead 2-1. Their fans were going absolutely ballistic. A victory over Madrid at home!! It doesn't get any better than this.
During extra time, Morata got the ball in the Levante area and quick side step found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat and he did just that. He shot the ball passed the diving goalkeeper.
Madrid had equalized 2-2.
Still the match was not over. There was about a minute left of extra time.
Shortly after, with time running out, Marcelo gives the ball to CR7 and the rest is history. Beautiful shot on goal deflected off an defender and went in. This was sweet justice for the free kick that he had missed earlier in the match. The amazing free kick went over the barrier, bounced in front of the goalkeeper and hit the post and went out. It was a very well taken shot but unfortunately did not provide the desired result.
The Madrid team did not start with Sergio Ramos, Isco and Arbeloa but instead selected Marcelo,Carvajal and Varane. These were good moves as Madrid protected its left flank and Marcelo's speed and skills helped mount attacks from the left wing.
Carvajal played a more attacking game down the right hand side but he also seems incapable of crossing or centering balls to the forwards waiting in the area. This has become a major concern this year.
In the first half, Madrid attacked frequently but most of the moves fizzled out due to lack of ideas. The Madrid forwards were at one time lining up to take shots at the Copenhagen goal but the lack of accuracy was quite pathetic to watch.
As usual Benzema was not playing well but later in the match, he made a couple of good passes that brought back some of the Madrid fans to his side.
Late into the first half, Marcelo's measured, floating cross from the left completely fooled the Copenhagen goalkeeper and Ronaldo made no mistake in heading in his first goal. The cross was a beauty and all credit to Cristiano Ronaldo to head the ball down onto the grass and then bounced it in.
Madrid went into the interval with a goal advantage.
The second half began in the same manner as in the first half. Madrid lacked finishing skills and then after the first 10 minutes, the game changed. Madrid it seemed woke up and started playing some attacking and attractive football.
The second goal started with back heel from Benzema to Di Maria inside the area and Di Maria floated the ball to the near post. The beauty of this goal was that Ronaldo who was behind the defender, moved out in front of the defender and headed the ball home. The move to go in front and meet the ball and thereby taking the defender out the equation was really great thinking.
Madrid made two substitutions - bringing on Isco for Khedira and a little later Morata for Modric. The substitutions were applauded by the fans because firstly Khedira had not played particulary well and secondly Isco and Morata are fast becoming the Bernabeu favourites.
The third goal was a solo run by Di Maria at the Copenhagen goal and he curled the ball into the far left hand side giving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance at all. It was a great goal to see - specially when you can see the ball turning and beating the goalkeeper - a treat for the eyes.
Madrid made their third substitution for the night bringing on Jesse for Benzema.
The fourth goal came from the right hand side when Morata managed to "rob" the ball from the Copenhagen defender and pass the ball to Di Maria who made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the net.
The match ended Real Madrid 4-0.
Although the fans were happy to go home with a victory, the Madrid defence let the Copenhagen forwards too much space and time with ball in their area. The Copenhagen team created quite a few dangerous chances. The first was in the first half when Luka Modric had to kick the ball away from Madrid's goal line. And in the second half, a Copenhagen forward found himself solo in front of the Madrid goal and thank Saint Iker for bringing off a brilliant save. That save was followed by a corner when Iker again had to pull off a left handed save. These were three clear chances of goal that Copenhagen missed.
Ancelotti should be careful of corners because everytime Copenhagen had a corner, the Madrid defence was caught out. This is a very serious weakness in the Madrid defence. The finishing skills have to be honed and finally the accuracy of passing needs improvement.
Anyway it looks like Real Madrid will sail into the next round with this victory.
