Real Madrid 3 - 1 Zaragoza (Spanish League Day 21)

Real Madrid began their run in the return leg of La Liga after their brilliant performance against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Zaragoza visited the Bernabeu and netted the opener due to mild relaxation from the Whites, but Cristiano Ronaldo and company made the team turn the score around with their excellent goal scoring skills.

Özil and Granero managed the comeback

Altintop, Benzema, Marcelo, Granero and Carvalho made the starting lineup. Zaragoza waited in their half of the pitch for a chance to counterattack while Real Madrid played a slower game than they are accustomed to. Benzema had a chance to score the first strike of the evening from a header that was off target (6') and the visitors netted the opener four minutes later through Lafita, who scored inside the box after being assisted by Aranda.

Kaka became the most active local player in the first half and scored the equaliser from his third chance after receiving a pass from Carvalho (31'). Zaragoza never reached Casillas' goal again in the remainder of the first 45 minutes.

Real upped their pace after half-time and Ronaldo tallied a second inside the box after receiving a formidable assist by Ozil (49'). Looking for a third, the German midfielder surprised Roberto with an amazing shot in the area and gave his team a comfortable lead (56').

Lass came on for Alonso on the 60-minute mark and Kaka received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Callejon six minutes later. Zaragoza had one more chance when Postiga had a clear shot, but Casillas saved the day (71').

Higuain came on for Benzema one minute after that and Real started playing a less intense game, which allowed Zaragoza to have more possesion though without posing much of a threat. Mourinho's men looked for a counterattack to seal the match and Marcelo ended up injuring himself. With no substitutions left, the coach positioned him in midfield and used Callejon as a left back.

The Whites were basically one man down in the final minutes of the match, but they didn't suffer and kept their lead to remain table toppers in La Liga.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 67,000
Goals: 0-1, m.10: Lafita. 1-1, m.31: Kaká. 2-1, m.49: Cristiano Ronaldo. 3-1, m.56: Özil.

Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid (Cup Quarterfinals 2nd Leg)

One more goal. That's all Real Madrid needed to reach the Copa del Rey semifinals. The Whites gave a masterclass in pride and courage, deserving to score the opener from several clear chances. Barcelona eventually netted two in the last five minutes of the first half, but Real never gave up, making a comeback and coming close to netting a third that would have given them the pass.

Football was unfair with Real Madrid, who just 15 seconds into the game had a clamorous chance to score when Higuain's shot was off target when he was facing Pinto alone. A perfect counterattack begun by Kaka with a pass down the left for Ronaldo also proved dangerous, but Alves and Pinto managed to clear the striker's shot (10'). The Whites reached their opponent's box with ease and they could have scored again on the 18-minute mark had the referee awarded a penalty when Busquets used his hands to clear a Pepe header.

The Madridistas were setting the pace to the match and managed to silence the stands. Ozil gave them another scare with an amazing 25-meter shot that hit the crossbar (25'), and Pinto managed to clear an Higuain strike inside the box two minutes later. It was a miracle that Barça hadn't yet conceded a goal, and fate had it they would end up scoring the opener from the first chance they had through Pedro, who finished off a Messi pass (42'). It was a harsh blow and Alves banked a second strike from outside the box in injury time.

Real Madrid never give up and came out from the dressing room fighting for a comeback when the crowd thought it was all over. Mourinho refreshed his side with Granero, Callejon and Benzema, who came on for Lass, Higuain and Kaka. Their first strike finally arrived when Ozil served a perfect pass through the lines to Ronaldo, who overtook Puyol, dribbled past Pitno and sent the ball in with his right foot.

The crowd became a little restless and was soon silenced when Benzema pulled off a masterpiece by receiving a head pass from Callejon, sending the ball over Puyol and scoring the equaliser with his right foot. Mourinho's men continued looking for a winner and nearly found it again through Benzema, who dribbled past Puyol but didn't manage to net another goal.

Summary

Stadium: Nou Camp
Attendance: 95,400
Goals: 1-0, min.42: Pedro. 2-0, min.46+: Alves. 2-1. min.68: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-2, min.71: Benzema.

Real Madrid 4 - 1 Athletic Bilbao (Spanish League Day 1)

Real Madrid sealed the first leg of La Liga with a victory over Athletic Bilbao that keeps them at the top of the table with a five-point cushion over the runners-up. Marcelo, Ronaldo and Callejon scored the goals that followed Llorente's opener. Ozil served as master of ceremonies in the second half, during which the Madridistas netted three of their strikes.

Great Marcelo´s performance in a difficult match

The match started with the emotive tribute the Santiago Bernabeu crowd paid to the late Jose Ribot, a true Madridista who sadly died on Saturday. The opening minutes were somewhat uphill for the Whites and Llorente netted the opener from a cross by Javi Martinez (12'). Granero (one of the new faces on the starting lineup alongside Marcelo, Varane, Kaka, Ozil and Arbeloa) tried for an equaliser with two long shots that Iriazoz managed to grab. Real Madrid upped the pace to the match, but Athletic didn't falter and continued to prove dangerous in Casillas' box; indeed, De Marcos missed a clear chance to score from a clearance the keeper was forced to make from a shot by Muniain (18').

Madrid started to dominate. Cristiano passed the ball to Ozil and received it back from the German to look for Marcelo, who then defeated Iriazoz following a triangulation with Benzema (24'). Athletic wanted to get back in the lead and, just before half-time, Llorente sent the ball off target in a one-on-one with Casillas (38').

The Whites seemed to have more resolve in the second half and Iturraspe brought Kaka down inside the box one minute after the whistle. Ronaldo converted the penalty with a shot through the top corner of the goal and gave his team the lead. Later on, Ozil was challenged in the box as he tried to finish off a head pass from Benzema. The French striker scored, but the goal was disallowed because the referee had already awarded the penalty, which was again converted by Ronaldo (66').

Mourinho made changes to give his team a breather, bringing on Lass, Higuain and Callejon. The Argentine hit the post, but Callejon had better luck after being assisted by him (85'). The match ended with a victory especially dedicated to Jose, Marta and Oscar, the Ribot family. The triumph keeps the Whites in the lead with a five-point cushion over Barcelona, whom they'll face again in the return leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals at the Camp Nou.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 79,000
Goals: 0-1 Min. 12 Fernando Llorente,1-1 Min. 24 Marcelo, 2-1 Min. 47 Cristiano Ronaldo,3-1 Min.66 Cristiano Ronaldo, 4-1 Min. 85 Callejón.

Real Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona (Cup Quarterfinals 1st Leg)

Real Madrid never give up; it's in their DNA and history. That's why Mourinho's men will look for a comeback at the Camp Nou next Wednesday. The Whites are only one goal behind and will look to turn the aggregate around to reach the Copa del Rey semifinals. Jose Mourinho used a surprising starting eleven that included Altintop and Carvalho. Real Madrid gave a great performance in the first half and scored the opener through Cristiano Ronaldo, regarding whom all doubts should be dispelled. The visitors were more effective after half-time and turned the score around. Benzema had a chance to net an equaliser but sent the ball to the post after defeating Pinto.

Barcelona's comeback begun with a Puyol's goal

Real Madrid knew exactly what to do from the start: playing together and looking to surprise Barcelona with long passes capitalising on the speed of Ronaldo and Benzema. It didn't matter that Guardiola's men kept possession as long as they didn't prove dangerous up front. Benzema served Ronaldo a long assist in the 11th minute and the striker defeated Pinto with a great shot. Two ensuing saves by Casillas avoided Barça from drawing the encounter before half-time.

Puyol headed in a corner-kick at the start of the second half (48'), which greatly hurt the Whites and forced them to try for a comeback. Altintop served a great cross on the 57-minute mark that Benzema unluckily headed towards a post when Pinto would have been unable to clear the ball. Mourinho made Ozil and Callejon come on for Higuain and Lass looking for a reaction, more possession and a deeper attack.

Real Madrid moved their lines forward looking for another strike, leaving more spaces for Barcelona to counterattack in. Abidal eventually scored the winner after receiving a pass into the box from Messi (76') and things looked increasingly harder for Real, who constantly searched for an equaliser. These great efforts exhausted the players, but the Bernabeu continued to spur them on until the final whistle.

Real must now focus on La Liga, in which they top the table with a five-point cushion over Barça. They will face Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu on Sunday and will search for three points to seal the first leg with a comfortable lead. They will face Barça in the return leg of the Copa on Wednesday. No one should think they will toss the trophy aside: that's not what the team's history and philosophy are all about. Mourinho's men will look to reach the semis in Barcelona; the defending champs are not about to let go easily of the trophy.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 83,500
Goals: 1-0, m.11: Cristiano. 1-1, m.48: Puyol. 1-2, m.76: Abidal.

Mallorca 1 - 2 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 19)

Real Madrid suffered and were forced to turn the score around in Mallorca. Mourinho's men netted the winner on the 84-minute mark despite not giving their best performance. The victory is crucial, given this is was the sort of match that can truly help decide the outcome of the league championship.

Callejon scored a crucial goal on the 84th minute

Mallorca were set to complicate things for the Madridistas at their stadium, thwarting all of Xabi Alonso's attempts to channel his team's efforts. The Whites were having no chances on goal and Mallorca started to look for fast countrerattacks. Hemed had a chance to net the opener but his shot was off target (27'). The locals eventually scored on the 38-minute mark when the striker finished off a Chory Castro free-kick. Real Madrid reacted quickly and Sergio Ramos tried to score an equaliser from a header, sending the ball to the crossbar instead.

Higuain came on for Lass after half-time and Real started to dominate every aspect of the game. Mallroca defended in their half of the pitch simply waiting for their chance to counterattack. Despite this dominance, the Madridistas weren't scoring and only a couple of long shots by Ronaldo created some danger.

Mourinho took a risk making Coentrao and Kaka come on for full backs Marcelo and Arbeloa. This prompted a tactical change by which Real used three defenders. Risks were necessary in order to win and soon Kaka nearly scored, forcing Aouate to send the ball to a corner-kick with a stretch. Higuain eventually scored the equaliser with a little help from Tissone finishing off a cross into the box from Ozil on the 71-minute mark. With time left on the ticker, the Whites tried everything for another strike and Ronaldo nearly scored an amazing goal, but his shot hit the crossbar.

Callejon finally scored the winner picking up a clearance from the local defence, but Real had to fight off Mallorca's final onslaught in the final minutes as they searched for an equaliser that never came.

Summary

Stadium: Iberostar Stadium
Attendance: 19,500
Goals: 1-0, min. 38: Tomer Hemed. 1-1, min. 71: Higuaín. 1-2, min. 84: Callejón.

Malaga 0 - 1 Real Madrid (Spanish Cup Last 16 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey by defeating Malaga 1-0 at La Rosaleda. Mourinho's men were clearly superior to Pellegrini's, who barely had any chances on goal. The Whites will face either Osasuna or Barcelona in the next round.

Benzema was again the man of the match

Arbeloa and Pepe made the starting eleven in defence. Real Madrid were slightly more relaxed thanks to the one goal advantage on aggregate they had thanks to the 3-2 win in the first leg at the Bernabeu. It was up to Malaga to take risks, but they didn't try too hard for goals and the Whites ended up keeping possession of the ball. Sergio Ramos had the best chance to score from a header that missed the mark by inches (44'). Khedira had to leave the pitch one minute before that due to injury and was replaced by Ozil.

Marcelo came on for Kaka in the second half and Madrid continued to keep possession of the ball. They started to have chances on goal and a Ronaldo header in the 62nd minute was masterfully cleared by Caballero.

Benzema came on for Higuain in the 68th minute and it took him only three minutes to score the winner by nutmegging the keeper after receiving and Ozil assist. Malaga received a harsh blow and tried to make a comeback, but Real handled their lead very well and even came close from netting a second strike through a Ramos heel shot that was cleared by the keeper (80'). Arbeloa was sent off on the 87-minute mark and Toulalan had a chance to score the equaliser three minutes later.

Looking to keep their five-point lead, Real Madrid are now focusing on their next league clash against Mallorca, who scored six goals tonight against Real Sociedad.

Summary

Stadium: La Rosaleda
Attendance: 27,000
Goals: 0-1, M. 71: Benzema

Real Madrid 5 - 1 Granada (Spanish League Day 18)

Real Madrid showered Granada with goals in their first league clash of 2012. Benzema scored two goals, proving he is the best centre forward in Europe right now, but had to leave the pitch due to an injury. The Whites remain leaders in the championship for another week.

Benzema scored two goals against Granada

Higuain and Benzema made the starting lineup and Real Madrid looked to resolve the match quickly. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the target following a pass into the box by Benzema early in the game (6') and two minutes later both players repeated the effort in exchanged roles. Granada weren't able to keep possession long and the locals eventually scored the opener from an impressive effort in which Cristiano passed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Ozil, who then assisted Benzema with a subtle heel pass (18').

Granada started to try harder for a goal and netted an equaliser through Mikel Rico, who was assisted by Uche with a cross (21'). The visitors looked for more and Casillas was forced to make a solid save from a Rico shot. This made Real Madrid react and Ramos soon headed in a corner-kick served by Ozil (33').

The start of the second half was an offensive showcase on the locals' part. Higuian scored a third for the team from a crossed shot following an assist by Marcelo, while Benzema scored again four minutes later after brilliantly controlling a long pass from Ozil. Unfortunately, the French striker asked to be taken off one minute later and Callejon had to come on for him.

Kaka came on for Ozil on the 66-minute mark and Granada, having nothing left to lose, decided to try for another goal to no avail. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored in the 51st minute from a header that was slightly off target and Callejon also had a chance that was cleared by Roberto.

Altintop replaced Higuain (81') and Ronaldo again came close to scoring, missing the mark by inches from a spectacular distance shot. The Portuguese striker eventually found a reward for his efforts after picking up a Kaka shot that was deflected by a defender.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 78,000
Goals: 1-0, m.18: Benzema. 1-1, m.21: Mikel Rico. 2-1, m.33: Sergio Ramos. 3-1, m.46: Higuaín; 4-1, m.51: Benzema; 5-1, m.90: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid 3 - 2 Malaga (Spanish Cup Last 16 1st Leg)

The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed a typical Copa del Rey match tonight, in which Malaga started winning 2-0 by half-time, forcing Real Madrid to come back to snatch a 3-2 victory in a splending second half.

Benzema gives life to the champion

Iker Casillas was a starter again in the Copa del Rey and Higuain was positioned as centre forward. Real Madrid had a less intense start to the clash than usual, while Malaga handled the ball well, hardly experienced trouble in defence and were led by Isco's speed and verticality in attack.

Malaga scored the opener in a corner-kick. Cazorla served the ball and an unmarked Sergio Sanchez netted a header (9'). The Whites suffered a blow but gradually had more chances on goal; Ronaldo had the best on the 27-minute mark, but Caballero cleared the ball. Malaga scored again one minute later from another corner-kick, this time finished off by Demichelis.

Forced to react, Mourinho made Ozil, Khedira and Benzema come on after half-time, and the team worked hard to make a comeback. Cristiano and Higuain came close to finishing off a pass on the goal-line (50') and the team started to dominate the encounter.

Ten magical minutes followed. Khedira scored the first goal for the locals by powerfully entering the area and defeating Caballero with a great crossed shot (68'). The crowd went wild and encouraged its team. A huge mistake by Sergio Sanchez in a pass back to Caballero prompted an Higuain steal and goal with hardly an angle on the target (69'). The equaliser forced Malaga to only focus on defending while waiting for the match to end.

Real Madrid scored the winner on the 77-minute mark through Benzema, who netted a great goal after receiving a spectacular assist from Higuain. The Whites managed to turn the score around in an extremely complicated match and the crowd went wild. It was a spectacular start to 2012 and Real Madrid have the aggregate advantage in the tie, which will be decided next week at La Rosaleda.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 83,500
Goals: 0-1, m.9: Sergio Sánchez. 0-2, m.28: Demichelis. 1-2, m.68: Khedira. 2-2, m.69: Higuaín. 3-2, m.77: Benzema.