Real Madrid into the Champions League Semifinals Despite Losing 3-2 at Galatasaray

Real Madrid have reached the Champions League semifinals for the third straight season on Tuesday despite losing 3-2 following a second-half revival of Galatasaray by scoring 3 goals. This will be Madrid's 24th semifinal appearance in Europe's top-tier club competition, although the team has been eliminated at that stage the past two years.
 

Madrid’s Ronaldo looked to have wrapped up the quarterfinal series by scoring in the seventh minute for a 4-0 overall lead, requiring Galatasaray to score at least five goals to advance. The Portugal forward scored his second of the match in stoppage time for his 48th goal of the season, which includes a Real Madrid record of 11 in the Champions League. 

Madrid completely dominated the match until Eboue's 57^th minute equalizer, which awakened Galatasaray's attack and was the start of a 16 minute span in which Galatasaray scored 3 goals transforming the match from a mild stroll to a frantic contest largely played in Madrid's last third. Forward Wesley Sneijder scored in the 71st, before Didier Drogba added another goal a minute later.

Madrid is feared for its deadly pace and firepower on the break, but its opening goal was a product of a passing combination, as Ronaldo slipped along the six yard box to redirect Sami Khedira's cross into the far side of the net with his right foot after Mesut Oezil had played his fellow Germany midfielder clear on the side.

Eboue equalized with a blast from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net following a pass by Sneijder.  Sneijder not done there made another beautiful touch to tap a pass beyond Raphael Varane, rounding the defender before slotting the ball home. Drogba expertly flicked in Nordin Amrabat's low cross with the back of his right heel while facing away from goal and fending off Varane to send the home fans wild.

Ronaldo polished off his team's qualification to the next round three minutes into injury time by converting substitute Karim Benzema's pass. That goal sealed the match for Real Madrid and its places into the semifinals with a 3-2 loss to Galatasaray

 

Real Madrid Cruise to a 3-0 win over Galatasaray in Champions League Quarter-Final

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid have put themselves in great position for the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-0 win over Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their quarter-final clash. Madrid seldom looked in any real danger by the Galatasaray attack and was two goals up before the half-hour mark through Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The match was put away by a second-half header from substitute Gonzalo Higuain which made the win for Madrid a greater deficit for Galatasaray ahead of next week's second leg in Istanbul.

Galatasaray started off the match reasonably well, with their squad suggesting an aggressive attacking formation with Wesley Sneijder, Hamit Altintop and Selcuk Inan all pushing forward to try and join Didier Drogba and Burak Yilmaz. At the nine minute mark the deadlock was broken flowing Mesut Ozil thru ball sending Ronaldo free down the left hand side as he chipped the ball over Fernando Muslera in clinical fashion.

Madrid's continued pressure in the second half lead to Real extending their advantage as Xabi Alonso curled a free-kick into the box that Higuain headed into the corner to score. Galatasaray did have a late call for a penalty denied when Sergio Ramos stepped on Yilmaz's foot but the striker was booked for embellishment instead. Ramos later picked up a strategic booking that ruled him out of the second-leg when he kicked the ball away with just minutes left leaving him eligible for the semi-finals with no yellow card accumulation. 

Another real positive from Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League quarter-finals was the fact that this was their first clean sheet in the competition. 

Real Madrid settles for just a point as they draw Real Zaragoza 1-1

Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza traded goals in the first half but neither side could find the winner and both had to settle for a point a piece and a 1-1 draw.

Real Zaragoza came out strong from the start of the match and was rewarded with an early goal that put Real Madrid under immediate pressure.  Madrid’s Luka Modric was beaten to a loose ball in the midfield by Apono who moved the ball forward with one touch pass to Rodri. The midfielder moved into the Madrid area and beat Diego Lopez over his right shoulder to give Zaragoza the early 1-0 advantage.

Real Madrid was able to level the score seven minutes from halftime, taking advantage of a mistake by Zaragoza’s Glenn Loovens. The Dutch defender misplayed a long ball, giving possession to Gonzalo Higuain just outside the Zaragoza area. Higuain moved the ball to Ronaldo who was able to dribble into the box and beat goalkeeper Roberto Gago just inside the near post. Gago appeared to misjudge Ronaldo's intent and moved just enough from the post to create the space that the Portuguese striker needed.

A potential game changing moment in the 59^th minute was denied as Zaragoza were not given a clear penalty by the referee as Michael Essien pulled down Helder Postiga with two hands on his shoulder. Diego Lopez made a match saving save in the 78^th as Francisco Montanes backed into the Madrid area and sending a ball across to Postiga at the far post. Postiga's header looked sure to put Zaragoza ahead of Lopez came flying across to deny the striker.  With the late game heroics of Lopez Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza were only able to net a goal apiece to settle for the 1-1 draw.

Real Madrid comes from behind Twice to beat Mallorca

Real Madrid trailed twice before fighting back with three goals in a seven-minute span to beat Mallorca 5-2.  Mallorca led 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after goals from Emilio Nsue and Alejandro Alfaro with Gonzalo Higuain scoring for Madrid.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo rallied Madrid back into the game with an equalizing goal in the 51^st.  Luka Modric put Madrid ahead three minutes later with a terrific shot from long range, similar to his Champions League goal against Manchester United, with Higuain completing the surge by scoring his second of the night in the 57^th.

Madrid has seen its title defense damaged due to poor games to modest Spanish teams this season, thus the reason why they trail leader Barcelona by 10 points.  This pattern seemed as if it would continue until Madrid reacted to a poor first half and quickly imposed itself on the relegation-threatened visitors.

 

Ronaldo’s frustration grew as the match progressed and at one point the Portugal forward slammed his fist into the turf and threw his arms up in disgust several times as Madrid were failing to discovery their game. For the start of the second half coach Jose Mourinho sent on Mesut Ozil and Benzema hoping for them to make an immediate impact, and that they did.   Ronaldo put Madrid level again when he met Ozil's corner at the near post.  Ozil then picked out Higuain for Madrid's fourth of the night.  Madrid showed great tenacity in fighting off their struggles to overcome going behind twice in the match to beat Mallorca 5-2 on the night. 

Real Madrid eliminates Manchester United from Champions League Play

Real Madrid came into Old Trafford, and walked out with a 2-1 victory courtesy of a astonishing goal by Luka Modric, and a routine winning goal from United’s former hitman, Cristiano Ronaldo, to advance to the Champions League’s quarterfinals stage  though Manchester opened the scoring via an own goal by Real’s Sergio Ramos. 

 

This was a game that won’t be remembered for spectacular goals and intriguing tactics by both managers, it will be remembered for a call made by Turkish referee Cuynet Cakir, who sent off Manchester’s Nani early in the second half for a charge, studs high, into the midsection of Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa.

Both managers expressed regret that the game did not play out with both teams full complement of players. With Madrid manager Jose Mourinho saying, “[United] were playing very well, they were aggressive and they were compact, I am not speaking about the decision as I am not sure of it. I do think the best team lost.”

The fact is that the decision distracted from what was a riveting match, filled with some awe-inspiring play. Luka Modric’s goal, a brilliant shot off the post, past a sprawling David de Gea. While United’s goal came after a blistering spell of pressure that forced two stops from a frazzled Madrid keeper Diego Lopez.

Some recognition, however, should go to Modric. Coming on in the second half replacing Arbeloa immediately turned Real into a threat combined with Kaka replacing the injured Angel di Maria. Gonzalo Higuain was used to fine effect to pry United’s back line apart with Mesut Ozil, working off Modric, proved to be too slick for United to handle.

Real Madrid Beat Barca for Second Time in a Week

Real Madrid beat Barcelona for the second time in five days with a 2-1 win in La Liga play, this victory should boost Jose Mourinho’s team for its Champions League trip to Manchester United.  Madrid even managed without Ronaldo for much of the match, as Mourinho rested the Portuguese winger until the final half hour with the game against United on Tuesday in mind.

While Madrid remains 13 points behind Barcelona in the league, this result could allow second-place Atletico Madrid to cut the deficit to nine points on Sunday at Malaga. Lionel Messi extended his Spanish league scoring record to 16 straight games when he equalized in the 18th minute to cancel out Karim Benzema’s sixth-minute opener. Sergio Ramos netted the winner in the 82nd minute when he headed in Luka Modric’s corner to give Madrid its first home league victory over Barcelona since 2008.

Midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mesut Oezil were also given a rest, along with forward Angel Di Maria.  Even with several reserved players on the pitch, Madrid picked up where it left off at Camp Nou when a ball intercepted in midfield led to a swift goal in two passes, as Barcelona’s defense conceded a goal for the 13th game in a row. However, Messi made sure Barcelona hit back when he beat Madrid’s offside trap to reach Dani Alves’ thru ball, cut back and fired with a sharp left-footed effort.  Mourinho sent on Ronaldo in the 57th and he was able to hit the woodwork with a free kick, in limited playing time. 

Copa de Rey El Classico at the Camp Nou

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid overcame its fierce rival Barcelona 3-1 at the Camp Nou and 4-2 on aggregate to secure their place in the Copa del Rey final. Lionel Messi was inches away from opening the scoring with only 90 seconds on the clock as his instant control and shot on the turn from Pedro's cross flashed across Diego Lopez's goal and narrowly wide.

 

But it was Real who took the lead in the 13th minute when Ronaldo was sent down the wing by Gonzalo Higuain's, and with the Portugal ace drawing a foul from Gerard Pique in the box. While both Pique and Barcelona were infuriated with the call referee Undiano Mallenco's decision was absolutely correct. Ronaldo drilled the ball into the bottom corner and sent goaltender Jose Pinto the wrong way for his sixth successive Classico goal at Camp Nou.

 

Supports at the Camp Nou thought Barcelona had equalized approaching half-time as Messi rippled the outside of the net with a low free-kick. Real made it 2-0 on another counter-attack as a long ball out of defense was chased down by Angel Di Maria, who turned Carles Puyol inside and out and took a shot that was saved by the feet of Pinto, but the ball rebounded to the waiting Ronaldo to control and convert in the 57th minute for his 2nd of the match.Any hopes Barcelona had of mounting an improbable comeback were outdone when Raphael Varane, produced a towering header from a corner.

Real Madrid: 5 Players in Line to Be the Next Galactico

Neymar, the Brazilian forward who has been dubbed "the new Pele" has a lot of hype to live up to.  Known for his amazing dribbling ability, Neymar is more an individual than a team player. Comparing him to the top two in the world is a bit premature, but he's more in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo rather than Lionel Messi.

Leading the next generation of pint-sized Spanish midfield geniuses is Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez, or "Isco" as he is known in most parts of Spain. His work ethic and vision in the midfield make him a valuable asset, and his burst of pace, albeit not so great over a long distance, allows him to create space in the playmaker role.

David De Gea has shown many points of promise during his time with the Red Devils. Even despite his occasional gaffe, De Gea is going to be a top goalkeeper, there's no questioning that and with Iker Casillas' future at Real Madrid far from certain, De Gea could be tempted with a return to Madrid if the pressure gets the better of him at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid will always be wondering what could have been when it comes to Sergio Aguero.  56 Premier League games have seen Aguero assembly an impressive return of 32 goals.  Only the Real Madrid hierarchies know how close Aguero was to joining Los Merengues prior to his sale to Manchester City. 

It could be time for Edinson Cavani to leave Napoli as his record for Napoli has unsurprisingly seen their stock rise incredibly.  He has not even reached 100 games yet for Walter Mazzari's side, and he's already scored 67 goals.

Real Tie Man U 1-1 in Champions League Play

Cristiano Ronaldo was able to score against his former team but Manchester United will be the happier after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at the Bernabeu. Real began the match by pressing Manchester’s defense and if not for a Fabio Coentrao effort onto the far post, Real would have taken the early lead.  History shows that a team under duress will take advantage of their limited opportunities and that’s exactly what Danny Welbeck was able to do for Manchester on its first corner kick of the match.  Although Ronaldo netted a first-half equalizer climbing over the defender for an uncontested free header from a Di Maria delivery and that is how it stayed to set up a fascinating second leg.

Jose Mourinho's side continued to dominate the ball after the break and Manchester’s keeper De Gea saved well with his feet from Coentrao on the hour mark.  Despite heavy pressure from Madrid, United remained a threat on the break as striker Van Persie had two consecutive chances to put United in front only to see his first shot hit the crossbar and the second cleared off the line by Xabi Alonso.

After a series of conservative substitutions from both managers in order to help ensure there teams did not concede the go ahead goal it sets up for an intriguing second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.

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El Classico - Copa de Rey Semifinal at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Real Madrid and its fierce rival Barcelona played out to an electrifying 1-1 draw in their Copa del Rey semifinal. While Barcelona enjoyed the majority of the ball possession, the match grew in intensity with both teams counterattacking another at a rapid pace.  With Captain Madrid Iker Casillas injured with a broken hand, Jose Mourinho named team star Cristiano Ronaldo as captain.  The scoring opened with none other than Barcelona’s Lionel Messi intercepting a clearance and setting up Cesc Fabregas in the 50th minute. 19-year-old Raphael Varane closed an excellent game; heading an equalizer in the 81st. Madrid was able to suffocate Messi ending his prolific scoring streak in which he had found the back of the net in his previous 16 starts.

Madrid began the match attacking, and Gerard Pique fouled a charging Ronaldo in the first minute to concede a free kick. Barcelona then began to come into the game and its first chance came from a pass by Andres Iniesta that Joredi Alba ran onto, beating the offside trap, but he shot wide of the far post. Followed by Xavi Hernandez striking a free kick that hit the crossbar in the 21st.  The second half also began with Madrid attacking, but Karim Benzema shot was too high.  Madrid coach Jose Mourinho trying to revitalize his midfield brought on Luka Modric for Jose Callejon and his attack with Gonzalo Higuain substituting Benzema.  Madrid's were able to sustain pressure towards the end of the match as they were trying for a game winning goal but there attack was stopped when Dani Alves stopped Mesut Oezil's ball reaching Ronaldo in the 84th.

The second leg will be at the Camp Nou on Feb. 27.

Valencia downed 5-0 by Real Madrid

On January 20th Real Madrid finally showed its critics they are still a team with a lot of fight left in them.  Entering into the weekend Madrid took advantage of a rare Barcelona loss to make up some points in the La Liga standings, now 15 points behind the leaders.  Madrid was rampant straight from the kick-off with a sense urgency to take full points from the match.  Higuain hit the target first when he slotted in Di Maria's cutback following a rapid counter-attack to make it 1-0. By the 34th minute Madrid made it 2-0 with the trick footed Ronaldo turning Ricardo Costa inside out before sending over a low cross that an unmarked Di Maria tapped home at the far post.  Madrid relentless pressure allowed Ronaldo to scamper free from the halfway line and drill a low shot past the keepers near post. It was 4-0 in the 41st minute when Di Maria's cross to the far post was knocked back by Ozil to Ronaldo, who thrashed home his second of the night. Madrid were not finished there either, and on the stroke of half-time Di Maria added his second after being put through by Ozil and coolly slotting past the keeper.   This stunning first half in which Madrid scored all 5 of his goals was fueled by 2 individuals that have come under some scrutiny this season; Di Maria and Ronaldo.  Let’s hope that this will be the start to a great second half of the season!!!!