Oooof finally Real Madrid managed a win over weak Copenhagen

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.

So lets concentrate on the Liga.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Real Madrid win at home

Real Madrid as usual started off very slowly. In fact during the first few minutes of the match, Getafe was on the attack and in one of the first attacks on Madrid's goal, Getafe's Angel Lafita scored a lucky goal. The goal was deflected off a Madrid defender and Diego Lopez had no chance.

Madrid created some good moves with Di Maria, Carvajal, and Isco combining nicely. But unfortunately Benzema was again very disappointing. He missed a point blank chance from a cross from Carvajal. It is incredible how many opportunities the French International has been given to prove himself. In fact his poor display today drew jeers from the Madrid fans. Nacho give a good account of himself and he cut off a sure goal.

Madrid scored twice in the first half. The first was from a free kick and as Ronaldo's tap in was bouncing in front of the Getafe goal. All Pepe had to do was to tap the ball in.

The second goal came again from a free kick. Ronaldo's free kick hit Michel on the hand and a penalty was awarded to Madrid. And Ronaldo stepped up and converted the penalty without any difficulty.

Now Ronaldo has equaled and surpassed Hugo Sanchez's record of 208 goals but Ronaldo has played fewer games. All Madrid fans miss Hugo's celebratory back flips.

The Getafe forwards were dangerous and had a couple of chances.

But that was as far as they got.

The second half was far better for Madrid. They had the lion's share of possession and attacked the Getafe goal at will. But the main problem was Benzema. He could not finish. He could not put away sitters. An Albeloa cross found Benzema with an open goal but he headed it over the bar. Another pass he headed it past the goal post. It was embarrassing to see Benzema play.

Albeloa tried to get the Madrid crowd behind Benzema and applaud his efforts.

The third Madrid goal was brilliantly executed between Ronaldo and that GALACTICO Isco. A quickly taken free kick sent Isco on his way and he curled the ball in beating Moya - Getafe goalkeeper very easily.

The fourth goal came right at the end. A pass from Khedira which arrived a little late for Ronaldo, had Ronaldo twist and back heel the ball into the net. It was a clever and quick piece of thinking by Ronaldo and the goal looked spectacular.

In summary. Ancelotti it is very clear you have to find alternatives for Benzema, Khedira and Albeloa.  I have said this numerous times but now you have to take action. Secondly, Madrid is very vulnerable in the first half hour or until Ronaldo settles into a rhythm.  The defence has to withstand pressure during this period.

Finally I have a word of advice for Khedira. Why do you tend to pass the ball back to Pepe or Diego? This breaks the flow of play and gives the opposition time to regroup. I know by getting rid of the ball you think you are doing a great job, but in actual fact you are hurting Madrid's chances. I sincerely wish you see the video of your passing and see the damage that is being done.

 

 

 

 

 

Real Madrid vs Everton

It was a match of two halves.
I was impressed with the first half.
The speed of the counter attacks was good. Glad to see Ronaldo's selfless pass to Ozil for the second goal.
The defence seemed a little more organized and were back in numbers against the Everton forwards.
However the presence of the midfield was not seen.
Again Isco impressed and also from the little that I saw of Jese - he seemed eager to make an impression.
Khadira and Albiola again failed to impress. I fail to see why they continue with the Blancos.
Carvajal needs to tighten up his game otherwise Varane will be impossible to replace.
The second half was in my opinion a 45 minute period to forget. The substitutions did not improve the quality of play - on the contrary - it made it worse.
I hate to repeat but no major plays develop down the right flank. The accuracy in passing needs to be improved.