Real Madrid 5 - 1 Ponferradina (Spanish Cup Last 32 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid did their homework before leaving the holidays: they top the league table with a three-point cushion, they've made it to the UCL Last 16 having the best run in the history of the championship's group stage, and they've also reached the Copa del Rey Last 16. Mourinho's men sealed 2011 brilliantly, looking to keep the streak up throughout 2012.

Callejon's Cup

Many new faces made the starting lineup, including academy left back Casado. Mourinho wanted to give other players a chance to shine, but he still used Pepe, Ozil, Khedira and Benzema in the starting eleven. The Whites took things slowly against Ponferradina, who intended to leave a good impression at the Bernabeu.

Real kept possession and eventually scored through Callejon, who defeated the keeper with a crossed shot after receiving a long pass from Ozil. Ponferradina did not give up and tried to stand their ground. The match unfolded without much ado until Callejon nearly scored again on the 25-minute mark sending the ball to the crossbar. The Madridistas' second strike arrived just before half-time when Sahin headed in a corner-kick served by Ozil (44').

Right after half-time, Granero served a free-kick that was cleared by the goalkeeper. The ball was picked up by Varane, who tallied the third strike (48'). Ponferradina tried to fight back and looked for a goal of their own to save face, eventually finding it through Acoran, who defeated Adan from outside the box.

The strike encouraged the visitors to look for another goal, but Real Madrid continued to control the match albeit without having many more chances to score. Mourinho allowed the academy's Nacho to come on for Casado. Benzema then had a couple chances to tally a fourth, but he was unlucky.

The French striker was replaced by Joselu in the 77th minute and the youth teamer only needed 20 seconds to net the fourth after receiving a pass from Callejon on the goal-line. Pacheco came on for Adan a few minutes later (82'), becoming the 14th academy player to make his official debut with Mourinho.

Callejon sealed the match with another goal assisted by Sahin, and he nearly scored a third of his own had it not been by a good save from Orlando.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 52,000
Goals: 1-0, m.25: Callejón. 2-0, m.44: Sahin. 3-0, m.48: Varane. 3-1, m.53: Acorán. 4-1, m.78: Joselu. 5-1, m.88: Callejón.

Sevilla 2 - 6 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 17)

Real Madrid pulled rank in Seville, defeating Sevilla 2-6 at the Sanchez Pizjuan. The victory allows the Whites to be sole leaders on the table. Cristiano Ronaldo, whom so many criticised this past week, gave a stellar performance and scored a hat-trick, bringing his total tally up to 20 strikes to top the Pichichi Trophy table on his own.

Super-Cristiano scored a hat-trick to destroy Sevilla

Callejon made the starting lineup, having gained the confidence of Mourinho thanks to his excellent performances of late. Both teams upped the pace of the game in the opening minutes, with Sevilla putting pressure in attack and preventing Real Madrid from creating ball movement comfortably. Di Maria soon came to the fore, serving an amazing assist to Ronaldo, who started the pour (10').

Hurt, Sevilla put Iker Casillas to the test time and again, forcing the keeper to make a spectacular save similar to that against Perotti at the same venue back in 2009: Navas served a ball on the goal-line to Manu del Moral, whose shot the keeper sent to the post following an amazing stretch (12'). Casillas again saved the day against Trochowski (16') in what proved to be the most difficult moments in the match for Real.

The Whites gradually got rid of the local's pressure and, on the 37-minute mark, Di Maria again served an impossible assist to Callejon, who scored from a slight touch on the ball over Varas' exit. The strike hurt Sevilla and Ronaldo used this to finish them off with an impressive 25-metre goal (40'). Pepe was sent off three minutes later with a second booking, forcing Mourinho to replace Callejon with Albiol.

The locals tried to cut distances short after half-time, but the Madridistas continued to have chances to score. Eventually, Benzema served a great ball to Di Maria, who broke the offside and defeated Varas with ease (65'). The Argentine was replaced one minute later by Khedira. Sevilla were battered and bruised, but they still tried for a goal and Navas defeated Casillas on the 69-minute mark with a crossed shot.

Real still wanted more. Manu del Moral was sent off in the 73rd minute for a late challenge on Arbeloa and Fazio then brought Benzema down in the box, giving a penalty to the Whites that was converted by Ronaldo. The French striker was hurt and Altintop took his place. The Turkish midfielder scored the team's sixth strike three minutes later, his first for Real Madrid (88'). Negredo eventually tallied a second goal for the locals in injury time.

Summary

Stadium: Sanchez Pizjuan
Attendance: 40,000
Goals: 1-0, M.10: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-2, M.37: Callejón. 0-3, M.40: Cristiano Ronaldo. 0-4, M.65: Di María. 1-4, M.69: Navas. 1-5, M.85: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-6, M.88: Altintop. 2-6, M.91: Negredo.

Ponferradina 0 - 2 Real Madrid (Spanish Cup Last 32 1st Leg)

Jose Mourinho had said he was going to us a side capable of earning a good result to allow his team to seal the tie at the Bernabeu next week, and that's just what fans saw against Ponferradina. Callejon was the man of the match and scored a goal. The other was netted by Cristiano Ronaldo. The locals fought hard, but the Whites eventually proved their superiority despite being down to ten men in the last 22 minutes after Albiol was sent off.

Callejon was the man of the match

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Higuain, Marcelo and Khedira made the starting lineup. Ponferradina were extremely motivated, fought for every ball and put pressure all over the pitch, but they were bound to lower the pace of their performance eventually. Meanwhile, Real Madrid remained calm, controlled the ball and gradually started to have chances to score. Cristiano nearly netted the opener but Quintana cleared his first shot (21'). The Portuguese came close to finishing off a good cross from Callejon two minutes later, and the midfielder eventually tallied the first strike on the 28-minute mark following a pass into the box by Khedira.

The locals' spirit seemed crushed after the goal and Varane nearly scored a header immediately after it. Yuri continually tried to get close to Adan's goal, but the Whites' defence was solid throughout.

Ponferradina had the same drive after half-time and Domenech even hit the crossbar with a long shot (50'). Real Madrid were patient and played a slower game than usual, but were in control nonetheless. Albiol was sent off on the 68-minute mark with a double booking, making Mourinho react by bringing Granero and Ramos on for Sahin and Kaka.

Greater numbers gave the locals wings and the crowd began to drive them on, but this made them leave open spaces that Real used to their advantage, eventually scoring a second goal when a long pass from Higuain was picked up by Ronaldo, who defeated Quintana with a crossed shot (73'). Four minutes later, the Portuguese striker was replaced by the academy's Jese, who therefore made his official debut with the first team.

The locals looked to make a comeback in the final minutes to no avail. The crowd gave their team a standing ovation at the end of the clash given their great efforts against Real Madrid.

Summary

Stadium: El Toralin
Attendance: 8,500
Goals: 0-1, m.28: Callejón. 0-2, m.73: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid 1 - 3 Barcelona (Spanish League Day 16)

It is said small details decide the outcome of Clasicos and tonight was a clear example of that. Three instances could tip the scales one way or the other. The first was Benzema's goal only 23 seconds into the game, capitalasing from a mistake by Valdes. The second was Barcelona's second strike, which came from a shot from outside the box that went into the back of the net after being accidentally deflected by Marcelo and the far post. The third instance was Cristiano Ronaldo's missed header that could have drawn the match 2-2. This was followed by the effort that resulted in Barcelona's third goal. That was the Clasico in a nutshell. The visiting side made better use of three defining instances, but the Whites nevertheless continue to depend on themselves and could be sole leaders on the table by defeating or drawing against Sevilla next week.

Barcelona defeated again Real Madrid at Bernabeu Stadium

Following last week's suspension, Xabi Alonso made the starting lineup and Coentrao was positioned as right back. Lass made the midfield, leaving Khedira on the bench. The game couldn't have had a more auspicious start for the locals, with Benzema scoring only 23 seconds into the game by capitalising on a mistake by Valdes, who gave the ball to Di Maria in a bad clearance. The Argentine then passed it to Ozil, who shot on target, but ended up hitting Busquets instead. The deflection was then taken up by Benzema, who scored the fastest goal in the history of the Clasico. Real started to dominate the match due to this being a harsh blow on Guardiola's side, but Barça gradually started to have more possession and scored the equaliser from a fast effort finished off by Alexis (29'). The game evened out until half-time.

The second half started with a key effort: Xavi hit the ball outside the box and the shot, which didn't seem dangerous at first, hit Marcelo and a post before entering the goal (52'). Real Madrid were forced to make a comeback and focused on attacking, leaving their goal wide open. This gave way to Barcelona counterattacks. Mourinho then made Khedira and Kaka come on for Lass and Ozil.

Cristiano Ronaldo came close to netting the equaliser from a missed header on the 64-minute mark. Football then showed its cruelest face to Real by rewarding Barcelona with another strike when Fabregas headed in an Alves cross. The fans continued to support the team to the death despite the goal and showed how very proud they are of Mourinho's side.

Kaka came close to cutting distances short in the 83rd minute, but Valdes cleared his shot with a great save. Madrid kept trying to score any way they could, but Barcelona snatched the victory in the end. The Whites will now focus on Tuesday's Copa del Rey match against Ponferradina.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 83,500
Goals: 1-0. Min.1. Benzema; 1-1. Min. 29. Alexis; 1-2. Min. 52. Xavi. 1-3. Min. 64. Cesc.

Ajax Amsterdam 0 - 3 Real Madrid (UCL Day 6)

Real Madrid sealed a perfect run in the UCL group stage in Amsterdam. The Whites earned a 15th straight victory against Ajax, something they hadn't done since the 1960/61 campaign. The Dutch team had two goals wrongly disallowed and were eliminated from the championship due to Olympique Lyonnais' 7-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb. With 18 points and a +17 goal-average, Real Madrid have had the best performance given by any team in the Champions League group stage.

Higuain scored again in an European game

Mourinho made several changes to his starting lineup, with Adan, Albiol, Varane, Sahin, Granero and Callejon all playing as starters. The manager said earlier this week that his men would be entirely focused on winning the clash and they proved him right by scoring 13 minutes into the game: Kaka saw Callejon running free from markers, assisted him, and the midfielder tallied the first strike of the evening with his left.

Ajax pressurised more intensely and Van der Wiel forced Adan to make a save on the 31-minute mark with a powerful shot from outside the box. Lodeiro scored from the following effort, but referee De Sousa wrongly disallowed it following instructions from his linesman. Another local goal was wrongly disallowed four minutes later; it came from a long shot by Anita that was deflected inside the box by Sulejmani.

This forced Real Madrid to pull rank and finish off the game. Benzema saw how Higuain avoided his markers and assisted him with a long pass (41') in an effort similar to the first goal's.

Ajax were constantly putting a siege on Madrid's goal after half-time and nearly tallied a strike from a Sulejmani lob that hit the crossbar. Mourinho strengthened his midfield making Altintop come on for Benzema (53’) and later replaced Granero with Alonso (58').

Ajax continued to put Adan to the test with shots from outside the area, while Mourinho allowed youth teamer Mendes to make his first team debut by taking Arbeloa off (66'). The final minutes of the clash were pure agony for the locals and Callejon sentenced it on the 91-minute mark after being assisted by Alonso.

Summary

Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Attendance: 52,000
Goals: 0-1. Min.13. Callejón. 0-2. Min. 41. Higuaín. 0-3. Min. 91. Callejón.

Sporting Gijon 0 - 3 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 15)

Real Madrid pulled rank in Gijon and earned a solid victory over Sporting with goals from Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo. The Whites were superior despite the absence of Xabi Alonso and proved to be in excellent form one week before the Clasico.

Di Maria opened the lock with his goal

Mourinho made Lass take Alonso's place and positioned Coentrao as a right back. The Portuguese manager knew Sporting were going to play a tough game that would tire his men by forcing them to over-exhert themselves physically. The locals stayed in their half of the pitch waiting for the Madridistas to make mistakes, and Real hardly found any room to manouvre and connect with Higuain through the defensive line. Neither side had chances on goal until a Di Maria shot on the 19-minutre mark was impressively cleared by Juan Pablo. The Whites continued to dominate as the minutes passed, but no goals were scored.

Then, in the 34th minute, Di Maria stole the ball from an overly confident Damian, entered the box and, when everyone expected him to pass it back to a teammate, he surprised Juan Pablo with a solid shot. The goal forced the locals to start attacking more and to abandon their ultra-defensive system. Sporting started to challenge Casillas on occasion, but the goalkeeper saved all their shots with relative ease.

The locals hardly took risks after half-time and looked for chances to attack by way of Real Madrid mistakes rather than their own merits. Botia had the clearest chance in the 59th minute with a header that missed the mark. Soon after that, Di Maria served a spectacular assists to Cristiano Ronaldo, who controlled the ball and nutmegged Juan Pablo to tally the team's second strike of the evening (64'). This was the Portuguese player's 17th goal in La Liga this season.

Preciado made changes to his team trying to cut distances short, but things actually started looking worse for the locals. Higuain nearly scored a third in a one-on-one (70'), and three minutes later Albiol came on for Di Maria, who had clearly been the man of the match. Benzema replaced Higuain two minutes after that.

The remainder of the clash was somewhat easy going for Real. Casillas hardly felt threatened and Eguren was sent off with a double booking on the 79-minute mark. Kaka came on and nearly scored in the 88th minute, but Juan Pablo managed to send the ball out to corner-kick. Benzema also came close to tallying a third strike, which was eventually scored by Marcelo following an amazing individual effort.

Summary

Stadium: El Molinon
Attendance: 27,000
Goals: 0-1. Min. 34. Di María; 0-2. Min. 64. Cristiano Ronaldo; 0-3. Min. 90. Marcelo.