Atletico de Madrid vs. Real Madrid Recap

By El Maestro

Unfortunately, like Wednesday, I will not be able to make a full recap for the Derby against Atletico. However, It’s not like I have to go into detail to explain the game.

Brief Recap

Mou comes out with his B side to prepare for the Dortmund match on Tuesday.

Diego Lopez

Essien        Albiol        Carvalho        Nacho

Khedira        Pepe

Di Maria        Kaka        Morata

Benzema

Falcao put Atletico ahead in the 4th minute and the fans in stripes started to believe that this was truly going to be the year (like every time they take the lead against Madrid). Real Madrid equalized ten minutes later through a Juanfran (former Madrid youth product) own goal. Then in the 2nd half, despite not playing well, Di Maria scores the eventual game winner to extend Atletico’s losing streak to 13 seasons without winning a Derby.

!Ahora Toca Remontada en Champions!

!HALA MADRID!

Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid Recap !Toca Remontar!

By El Maestro

Unfortunately, due to private matters, I will not be able to give a a full recap of the game. However, I will touch on the key points.

Match Itself:

I don’t know how it happened, but Real Madrid lost 4-1. The game did not start well as Madrid found themselves down after only eight minutes, but they manage to tie before the break. At halftime, it looked like Madrid had control of the game. Suddenly, Lewandowski went off by scoring in the 50th minute, a beautiful strike in the 55th, and from the penalty spot in the 66th. Real Madrid has no response. We completely got crushed

Btw, quick memo to Florentino: Do not leave Dortmund without Lewandowski’s signature!!!!

Despite the lose, their three positives to take for the return leg.

First, Real Madrid did get an away goal, that’s important. Second, most of the players are fit and Arbeloa will be back from his suspension, which means Ramos will go back to center back. And lastly, we are REAL MADRID. Part of Madrid’s history are those incredible comebacks. Madrid has historically overturned a 4-1 deficit and they can do it again. It will not at all be easy after watching Dortmund’s performance, but it’s possible. Real Madrid must start warming that game up from this very moment and fully believe they can overturn the tie. Then once the game starts, leave every ounce of energy on the field.

REAL MADRID NEVER GOES DONE WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!!

!HALA MADRID! !A POR LA REMONTADA!  

Real Madrid vs. Betis Recap, Preparing for Dortmund

By El Maestro

Real Madrid took care of Betis, beating them 3-1 with goals from Ozil (2) and Benzema, and Jorge Molina for the side from Sevilla. With the 1st leg of the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, Mou left numerous starters on the bench, and excluded Ramos, Xabi, Coentrao, Arbeloa (suspended for Dortmund), and Khedira from the 19 man squad for the game. Instead, the starting 11 looked like this:

Diego Lopez

Nacho        Albiol        Carvalho        Marcelo

Casemiro        Modric

Callejon        Ozil        Ronaldo

Benzema

A player that surprised many was 21-year old Brazilian Casemiro. A regular for the Castilla team who recently arrived in January on loan from Sao Paolo. What’s even more interesting is that he’s already made three international appearances for the Brazilian national team. Long story short, he played in Xabi’s position and did a great job.

The win, however, would prove costly for Real Madrid as Marcelo, Modric and Benzema all left the game with injuries. While Benzema’s doesn’t look as bad, the other two worry. Especially Marcelo who had to be carried off the field. Pending further examination, it’s more than likely that both Modric and Marcelo will not make the trip to Germany.

Preparing for Dortmund

Despite the injuries, Mou has most of his starters fresh and intact for the game against Dortmund, where the only question is who will play at right back? GO GET ‘EM LADS!

!A por el Dortmund! !A por la Final! !A por la Decima!

!Hala Madrid!

Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid Recap !Last Ever Trip to San Mames!

By El Maestro

I’m pressed for time so I will just give a brief summary of the game. Being the last trip to San Mames, Real Madrid said goodbye by thrashing Athletic 3-0. Ronaldo opened the scoring in just the second minute with a fabulous free kick that went into the top corner of the goal. In the 68th minute, ‘La Maquina’ made it two by heading away Xabi Alonso’s cross. Ronaldo would assist Higuain for the third goal as he blasted his shot past Gorka to make it 3-0. Despite “La Cosa’s” (Susaeta) attempt in the 1st half that was kept out by Diego Lopez, Real Madrid did a fantastic defensive match and didn’t allow Bilbao to enter their box. It was a great overall team performance which will serve to prepare for the semifinal clash against Dortmund.

Speaking of which

I could not end this report without talking about the Champions League semifinals. Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund once again since their group stage meetings back in November. In those first encounters, the side coached by Jurgen Klopp beat Madrid in Germany and got an important draw in the Santiago Bernabeu. They also got four points from their matches with Manchester City and finished first in the toughest group of this years Champions League. Dortmund won the respect of everyone and will no doubt be tougher to beat the second time around. However, Real Madrid has changed in the last four months. In that period, they defeated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and La Liga, Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16, and have most of the squad to work with. In those games, Real Madrid were confronted with numerous injuries, including the left back position after Marcelo, Coentrao, and Arbeloa went down (something Dortmund exposed perfectly). This time around, the only concern is right back as Arbeloa will miss the first game due to suspension and Essien is questionable with hamstring problems. Either way, Real Madrid is in much better form and completely focused on winning ‘La Decima’. Only Borussia Dortmund stands in the way of the final in Wembley Stadium.

!A Por La Final! !Hala Madrid!

Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid 2nd Leg Recap

By El Maestro

Real Madrid made it official and sealed their qualification for the semifinals of the Champions League, but it wouldn’t come easy. Just like last week, Madrid opened the scoring early and it would be Ronaldo to do so (again) after Khedira broke loose on the right hand side and crossed for “La Maquina” who simply put it away to get that important away goal. This now required Galatasaray to score five unanswered goals to qualify.

For the rest of the 1st half, Real Madrid did a great job controlling the game and not allowing the Turkish side to get back into the fixture. In the 24th minute, Madrid almost made it two when Ronaldo’s back-heel left Di Maria alone in front of Muslera, but the Uruguayan keeper kept it out. The only downside of the 1st half was Essien’s injury who had to be substituted at the half hour mark.

Almost eleven minutes into the 2nd half, Ronaldo would have a good chance to extend the lead when Di Maria provided him with a wonderful pass and only needed the keeper to beat, but could not get the right footing on the ball and sent it wide. One minute later, Ronaldo would pay for that miss as Eboue blasted his shot into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Suddenly, everything started to go wrong.

Four minutes later, Galatasaray would be given a golden opportunity to take the lead (in the game) when Coentrao’s poor clearance fell to an unmarked Sneijder right in front of Diego Lopez’s goal, but somehow the former Madridista failed to execute. However, the Dutchman would redeem himself in the 70th minute when he dummied Varane and got his attempt past Diego Lopez to give the Turkish side the lead. Two minutes later, Galatasaray’s comeback went from impossible to possible when Drogba incredibly back-heeled Amrabat’s cross into the far corner of the net to make it 3-1.

Galatasaray now only needed two more goals and had 18 minutes plus added time to do it. Despite this, Real Madrid didn’t let their nerves get the best of them and tried regaining control of the game. The same could not be said about Arbeloa, who lost his mind arguing with the referee and got two yellow cards in one minute. Thankfully, Ronaldo would finish the tie in stoppage time with his 11th goal of the tournament to make it 3-2 on the score board, 3-5 on aggregate.

Too close. Real Madrid must learn from this and not allow it to happen again, especially if the objective is to win the Champions League. On Friday, Madrid will find out whether Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona/PSG, or Juventus/Bayern will be their semifinal opponent.

!Hala Madrid!

Real Madrid vs. Levante Recap

By El Maestro

After following behind on the score board, Real Madrid turned the game around and defeated the side from Valencia 5-1 with goals from Higuain, Kaka, Ronaldo, and Ozil (2). With the return leg on Tuesday against Galatasaray, Mou once again made changes to keep his players rested and fresh, which included Ronaldo, Di Maria, and Ozil starting from the bench.

Diego López

Arbeloa        Pepe        Ramos        Marcelo

Modric        Alonso

Callejon        Kaka        Benzema

Higuain

In general, the game was entertaining and Madrid did their jobs perfectly, but it’s clear their are two Real Madrid teams at this point of the season: La Liga Real Madrid and Champions/Copa Real Madrid.

La Liga Real Madrid: The team goes out to win, but don’t play with the same intensity or mentality.

Champions League/Copa del Rey Real Madrid: Madrid play to their fullest and leave everything they have on the field. Just look at their performances in Old Trafford and Camp Nou. Already in the quarter finals (on the brink of qualifying for the semis) of the Champions and in the final of the Copa del Rey.

Despite having most control of the game, Real Madrid fell behind in the 30th minute after Levante’s counterattack ended with Michel beating Diego López to make it 0-1. However, Madrid responded minutes later by scoring two goals in three minutes. First Higuain who put away a semi bicycle kick, and then Kaka from the penalty spot in the 39th.

Who knew he could do that.

To give the team more spark, Mou took off Callejon to put in the only player who can give the team anything it requires: Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid did create a few dangerous opportunities that would have put the game out of reach, but were not able to capitalize. Levante’s closest chance to equalize came in the 80th minute when miscommunication in defense allowed Valdo to pull Diego López off his line and leave an open goal for Bakero, but his shot went well over the bar. Finally in the 84th minute, Real Madrid would ice the game when Higuain incredibly blew through Ballesteros and past to Ronaldo who smashed it in to make it 3-1. In the last few minutes, Ozil would add on two more goals in the 87th and 91st minute.

Good win, now it’s time to finish the job in Istanbul.

!Hala Madrid!

Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray 1st Leg Recap

By El Maestro

Real Madrid sealed 85% of qualification for the semifinals of the Champions League by defeating Galatasaray 3-0. Everything went perfectly as plan. Madrid won by a comfortable margin and did not concede a goal. Even Ramos and Xabi Alonso did a great job picking up yellow cards that will keep them out for next weeks return leg in Istanbul and have them free of accumulations in the next round.

Real Madrid’s start also went as planned scoring after nine minutes as Ronaldo received Ozil’s through ball and chipped it over Muslera to make it 1-0. However, the plan was just about to go out the window three minutes later when Drogba used his body to slip away from Varane and found  himself in great position to score, but sent his shot wide. To that, Madrid responded with a dangerous counterattack that gave Ozil a good look from outside, but his chance was stopped by the keeper. The game would get even better for Real Madrid in the 29th minute when Essien’s cross was not cleared away by the Turkish defense and fell to the feet of Benzema, who simply put it past Muslera’s front post to make it 2-0.

The second goal brought an advantage and a disadvantage.

Advantage: Two goal lead.

Disadvantage: Real Madrid started to take it easy, too easy.

Madrid almost paid for that relaxation just before halftime after a give-and-go between Drogba and Eboue put the former Arsenal player in position to score, but his shot was kept out by Diego Lopez.

Thirteen minutes after the restart, Di Maria almost made it three when Xabi Alonso’s ball found him almost alone in front of goal, but could not get a good shot off and went straight into the hands of the keeper. With Galatasaray leaving so many open spaces, Mou took the opportunity to put in Higuain for Benzema, and ‘El Pipita’ would have a big impact in the 73rd minute by making it 3-0 after heading home Alonso’s free kick.

His first Champions League goal of the season.

Galatasaray would have something to argue about in the 78th minute when Ramos took down Burak Yilmaz in the penalty box. Not just were they not rewarded a penalty, the referee gave the Turkish striker a yellow card for simulation. Although the contact existed, an argument can be said in defense of the referee as Yilmaz did not go down immediately after receiving the contact.

Despite this, Galatasaray did not do much to improve their performance from the 1st half and only had one shot on target: Selçuk long range shot in the 81st minute handled by Diego Lopez.

First part of the mission is complete. Next and final step is going down to Istanbul and finishing the job.

!Hala Madrid!