Real Madrid settles the match in the first half against Real Sociedad and then relaxes

The first half hour the match was full of action, good passing and understanding between the Madrid players and GOALS.

It again rained goals at the Santiago Bernabeu - 5-1.

And it could have been 6 had Morata not missed an easy goal off a Cristiano Ronaldo pass in front of the Sociedad goal.

For a change, Karim Benzema played well in the first 30 minutes and should be given credit for his assist in Cristiano's first goal. What I liked was Benzema did not pass the ball to Arbeloa who was going down the left ( the easier option ) but decided to cross the ball to Cristiano who was running at the far post.  

Cristiano returned the favour to Benzema by pulling the ball back and crossing the ball to Benzema, who to his credit ( or luck ) struck the ball along the ground, into the far right hand corner beating the outstretched Real Sociedad goalkeeper.

I would like to question the penalty given against Real Sociedad. I thought it was clearly unintentional as the defender challenged Ronaldo in the area and in the process, the ball went through the falling defender's legs and hit his hand. There was no question in my mind,  of intention whatsoever in the play.

Cristiano's free kick conversion was a treat to watch - specially as it went close overhead to where Khedira was standing in the defensive wall. It was or must have been practiced a lot but I wish there was more consistency in Ronaldo's free kick conversions.

Cristiano scored another hat trick this season.

Khedira scored as well from a Gareth Bale pass. It was well taken at almost point blank range giving the Real Sociedad goalkeeper absolutely no chance.

The Real Sociedad goal came in the second half when Griezmann beat Diego Lopez with a chip over his head. It needed a cool head to finish the job and Griezmann sure provided that.

I felt that Griezmann stood out for Real Sociedad and posed a continuous threat to Madrid. He has speed and ability and should be less selfish if he wants to develop into a top flight striker.

The man I felt a bit sorry was Gareth Bale. With everyone coming to the party and scoring, he missed out today.

Never mind Gareth, your time will come.

Real Madrid took home the 3 points.   

Pointers for Ancelotti. Arbeloa played well at the left back position. Alonso did not make much of an impression. He did take a couple of free kicks. Luca Modric again proved to be the work horse of the team. Pepe was dreadful. He should take the sole responsibility for the goal.

I am not sure that Ancelotti has found the best team as yet.

There is therefore room for improvement.

We need to improve so that we do better playing against the top teams at home and abroad.

 

 

 

 

 

Real Madrid should have won in Turin

After a long time, we saw Real Madrid play like Champions.

However to do so, they had to go down a goal from a penalty - which should never have been given - as there was absolutely no contact and ofcourse at half time, Ancelotti must have given the players a real earful.

In the second half, an error of Vidal gave the ball to Benzema, who for a change, passed the ball through nicely to Ronaldo and Cristiano only had Buffon to beat which he did with a lot of class.

Madrid was level with Juventus 1-1.

Very shortly afterwards Gareth Bale received the ball at the top of the box and after side stepping a couple of Juve defenders, beat a diving Buffon. In slow motion, you could see the ball turning away from the diving hands of Buffon. It was nice to see. 

This was Gareth Bale's first goal for Madrid in the Champions League. I am sure many many more will follow.

During this period of play, Madrid was dominating the play, they kept possession and if they lost the ball, they kept at the Juventus player - not giving an inch or a second to settle on the ball. Madrid's persistence was paying off and at times, we could see nine Madridistas in the Juventus half.

Then against the play, a floating ball found Fernando Llorente poking his head forward, beating Varane and the outstretched hands of Iker Casillas.

Juventus had equalized 2-2.

It was a good match to watch for the spectators.

For Real Madrid it meant going through to the next phase.

I am afraid Juventus will not make it through.

Today after a long time, I felt the midfield and the back four stuck to their task well - in the second half. Hope they have solved their defending problems once and for all.

All Madrid fans should thank Iker for all the saves that he made during the match.

 

Real Madrid made to suffer at Vallecas as they hang onto 3 points

Suffering and humiliation.

That's what we, the Real Madrid fans, had to go through today to see Real Madrid win.

As I have said time and time again, the Real Madrid midfield and the back four DO NOT inspire any confidence. They are slow and lethargic and roam the pitch for 90 minutes without clearly identifying who they are supposed to mark.

Forget winning any silverware this year Sr. Florentino Perez.

What I am concerned about is just about any team in the Liga has a chance to beat Real Madrid this season.

Luckily in football it is the team that scores most goals wins.

For if it had been for possession, skill, pace, attacking football, Rayo would have won.

Ronaldo's goal was quite nice but I wonder whether he could have done that against a better side. But hey a goal is a goal. 

Gareth Bale again provided some nice crosses from the right - one was headed in by Benzema and another pass to Ronaldo was neatly put away.

After scoring that goal, it seemed as if Benzema went off to sleep.

To all Real Madrid fans I have one question. Where was Alonso? Did he lead the midfield?  Did he organize the plays?  Did he do anything? Simply put - did he play?

Why can't Ancelotti see that he is including players who are past their prime.

Why not give Isco, Morata, Jese and Varane a go. They add a dimension which is lacking.

Finally what is the use of having Gareth Bale in the team when he rarely gets the ball. He has to always come back to collect the ball.

Remember we were playing Rayo Vallecano today.

Not Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

Not Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund.

God help us.

But we won 3-2.