For Real Madrid it has not been a season to remember. However, the last 10 days certainly will be worth recalling. It all started with their commanding 3-1 triumph against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, followed up just days later with another win over their arch-rivals before overcoming an unfortunate Manchester United to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. To top it all off, on Sunday night they moved up into second place in La Liga thanks to a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo.
It was not a memorable performance by any stretch of the imagination. Los Blancos looked laboured for the best part, particularly in the opening exchanges – the strain of the previous week or so evidently weighing down on them. In addition, Celta Vigo were up for it and it made for a highly entertaining game, at least for the neutral.
Both sides traded chances on goal while neither really took control of proceedings. For all the exciting football that was on show, it was a poacher’s finish from Cristiano Ronaldo on the hour mark that put the visitors ahead before Iago Aspas’ wildly deflected shot bumbled over the line just two minutes later. Just as he did during the week when bringing on Luka Modric at Old Trafford, it was another substitution by Jose Mourinho that changed the game.
Now seemingly part of his Coach’s plans, Ricardo Kaka was introduced midway through the second half and it was he who won the crucial penalty. Linking up with Xabi Alonso, the Brazilian scurried into the box where he was brought down by Javi Varas. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and made no mistake to score his 188th goal in just 186 games for Los Merengues.
The win was Real Madrid’s eighth in the League since the turn of the year and together with their one draw, they have now collected 25 points from a possible 30 – the best return of any team in La Liga. After all the infighting, drama and poor results that have surrounded Madrid this season, it seems things are certainly looking up for the capital side.
And up things are looking on the table now too. For the first time this season Mourinho’s side have overtaken cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid to claim second spot. They may still be some 13 points adrift of Barcelona, but, after defeating the Catalans in the Spanish Super Cup, eliminating them from the Copa del Rey and recording a draw and a win in the League, Real Madrid will at least enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they bettered their old enemy head-to-head this season.
Los Blancos’ rise up the standings was not all down to their own efforts in the Balaidos, they have Real Sociedad to thank too. The Basque outfit pulled off the shock of the round as they won at the Vicente Calderon, bringing to an end Atletico Madrid’s 100 per cent home record.
Xabi Prieto’s goal proved the difference on the night and, incredibly, it was the first goal scored by any team at the Calderon since October 2012. Atletico ‘keeper Thiabaut Courtois had gone 820 minutes without conceding a home goal – an impressive new club record.
While Real Madrid and Atletico traded second and third places, Barcelona continued their march towards the title, though, they were still far from their best against cellar-dwellers Deportivo.
After a forgettable 10 days that saw the Catalans outplayed and defeated by Milan and then by Real Madrid on two occasions, stand-in boss Jordi Roura was looking for a response from his men. Ultimately, one would have to say that he got it. However, it was far from vintage Barcelona as they struggled against the Galicians, forcing Roura to bring on Lionel Messi in the second half to ensure all three points. And, ensure them he did in the only way he knows how, finishing off a beautifully crafted move he started himself with two minutes remaining to make it 2-0.
It was goal number 40 for Messi in La Liga, more goals than what 14 teams in the Primera Division have claimed. He has now equalled his own record for goals in the Division in one season that he set himself last term. Messi’s strike this weekend also saw him take his scoring run to 17 consecutive League matches which according to his club is also incidentally a world record, just another one the Argentine can add to his ever-growing collection.
