Make It 33!

By El Maestro

It’s finally confirmed; Real Madrid are officially La Liga Champions for the 33rd time in the club’s history. It’s been a long road and at times and at times it looked like it wouldn’t happen, but Madrid finally brought home the La Liga title for the first time since the 2011/2012 season.

A journey that started back in August with a 0-3 away victory against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid won it’s opening 4 league encounters before facing their first hurdles. They drew three straight fixtures; two at home against Villarreal and Eibar, and one away at Las Palmas. However, Real Madrid recovered from that and returned to winning ways hammering Betis 1-6 away. In fact, after the week 7 draw to Eibar, Madrid would win 10 of the 12 remaining first round fixtures; including a 0-3 hammering of Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon. They drew 1-1 to Barcelona in the Camp Nou and suffered their first lost of the season in all competitions 2-1 away at Sevilla.

More issues arrose in the second half of the season after a defeat away to Valencia, a home draw to Las Palmas, and coming back to beat Villarreal away 2-3 after being down 2-0 in the second half. After a 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid, the league title looked to be in Barcelona’s hands who would depend solely on themselves if they beat Malaga later that day. However, Barcelona would go on to lose to Malaga, keeping the title in Madrid’s hands and ending the league lead to three points.

The last minute lost in el Clasico was hard, but not a crushing blow as Real Madrid were still in the driving seat if they went on to win their remaining league fixtures. It wasn’t easy and it required some important late goals to beat the likes of Valencia, Sevilla, and Celta. But Real Madrid won its remaining six fixtures, including the one against Malaga on Sunday, to clinch La Liga. Despite all the ups and downs, Real Madrid persevered and stayed mentally strong to win La Liga.

Now it’s time to on the Champions League Final in Cardiff on June 3rd.

33 LIGAS! HALA MADRID!

 

Real Madrid 3 – 0 Atletico Madrid! Almost There!

By El Maestro

Like Gary Neville in his game commentary: UN-BE-LIEVABLE.

What a performance. A 3-0 win, with a hat-trick by CR7, to virtually finish off the tie heading to the return leg next Wednesday in the Vicente Calderon.

There really isn’t much to analyze. Real Madrid dominated Atletico Madrid from top to bottom. Madrid may have won 3-0, but it could have easily finished 7-0. Despite Atletico’s impressive defensive record coming into the series, Madrid shot 7 times on target while the “Colchoneros” only shot once.

It was a near perfect performance by every wearing the Real Madrid shirt. Keylor Navas came up big by stopping Gameiro’s one on one, the defense kept Griezmann and Atletico’s other attacking threats quiet for the 90 minutes. the midfield was outstanding, and CR7 was CR7 as always.

With all the criticism Ronaldo has received this season, it’s worth noting he’s scored 8 goals in Madrid’s last three Champions League fixtures. A hat-trick against Atletico Madrid and 5 total goals against Bayern Munich. At the beginning of the season, Zidane wanted to reduce Cristiano’s minutes early on so he could be in top shape towards the final stretch of the season and it looks like it’s paying off.

Real Madrid almost have two feet in the Champions League Final, but they still need to take the 2nd leg in the Calderon serious. They may have played a fantastic game, but Madrid has also been known for taking their foot off the gas. Realistically, Real Madrid shouldn’t have any major issues in the return leg, but they just need to make sure they do their job to officially book their place in the Champions League Final on in Cardiff.

HALA MADRID! 

 

 

Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico Madrid Recap

By El Maestro

Real Madrid Starting 11:

Keylor Navas

Carvajal    Varane    Ramos.   Marcelo

Kroos    Casemiro   Modric

     Isco    Benzema    Cristiano

Substituions: Nacho for Carvajal, Asensio for Isco, and Lucas Vazquez for Benzema

Atletico Madrid Starting 11:

Jan Oblak

Lucas    Savic    Godin    Luis

Koke    Gabi    Saul    Carrasco

 Gameiro    Griezmann

Substitutions: Gaitan for Saul, Gameiro for Torres, and Carrasco for Correa

Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo (10, 72, and 86 minute)

Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg Preview: Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid

By El Maestro

A fourth straight season taking on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. We all remember how the last three encounters went.

Champions League Final 2013/2014: Real Madrid 4 – 1 Atletico Madrid

Champions League Quarter-Finals 2014/2015: Real Madrid 1 – 0 Atletico Madrid (total 2 legged aggregate)

Champions League Final 2015/2016: Real Madrid 1 (5) – 1 (3) (won on penalties)

There encounters, three victories for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid look to become the first team to win two straight Champions Leagues since the competition was rebranded in the early 90s, while Atletico Madrid hope to finally bring home the only trophy that has eluded them for so many years. There really isn’t much to explain when it comes analyzing both teams.

Atletico may not have the same quality players as Real Madrid, but they should never be underestimated. Defensively, we all know that they’re a well organized side that’s hard to score goals on. In attack, they have arguably one of the five best players in the world in Antoine Griezmann, Saul has stepped up in midfield to score some crucial goals this season, Koke looks to have regained his old form and have been a pivotal figure in driving the midfield and both Yannick Carrasco and Kevin Gameiro have given the team additional goal providers.

On paper, Real Madrid are clearly the better side. However, the question is which Real Madrid will we get. Will it be the one that ran riot against Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena or the one that let Barcelona back in the La Liga race.

Despite Madrid’s impressive record against their local rival in the Champions League, it’s Atletico that’s had Real Madrid’s number in all Spanish competitions. Real Madrid may have beaten Atletico 0-3 in the Calderon in the first league encounter back in November, but before they hadn’t beaten Atletico in La Liga since the 2012/2013 season. In that time, Atletico beat Madrid four times in La Liga, eliminated them from the 2014/2015 Copa del Rey, and won the 2014 Spanish Super Cup.

That being said, it’s Real Madrid with the psychological advantage in the Champions League. Real Madrid want to become the first team to win two straight Champions League titles, but all the pressure in this tie is on Atletico Madrid for three reasons:

• Real Madrid have more chances of returning to the semifinals next season than Atletico Madrid.
• Real Madrid don’t need to worry about bragging rights since they already beat Atletico on three different occasions.
• Atletico Madrid hate Real Madrid more than Real Madrid hate Atletico Madrid. Henceforth, the pain of losing is much greater for Atletico Madrid players and fans.

Real Madrid are the favorites in this series as a result of their squad and record against Atletico in the Champions League. However, once the game starts, it’ll be a war on the field and both sides will do everything they can to be in the final.

Let’s just hope it’s Real Madrid playing the final in Cardiff on June 3rd.

HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!