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.

 

 

 

 

 

Ancelotti Include Morata and Varane in your squad for Juventus

Dear Sr. Ancelotti

Please include Morata and Varane in your squad against Juventus.

You need to win against Juventus if you are to have any chance against Barcelona.

Thank you

 

Convincing Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Malaga

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 European Championship 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.

 

 

 

 

Real Madrid again pulls out the rabbit to win at Levante 2-3

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 the Levante goal. 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.

At the end....

Another game - another victory.

Three points in the bag.

But boy did we have our hearts pumping.

 

 

 

 

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.