Real Madrid are good. Very good. Last night’s 1-0 win over Mallorca at the Bernabeu took them back four points behind Barcelona in la Liga with 51 points from twenty games.
In any other European league that would have them comfortably top of the table. They have progressed dangerously serenely in the Champions League, and last week beat city rivals Atletico to move into the semi finals of the Copa del Rey.
They have the most expensive and some consider best player in the world headlining what is arguably the best squad in the world, marshaled by probably the best coach in the world.
In all competitions in his first season, Jose Mourinho has won almost 80% of his games, his side scoring 79 goals in just 32 games conceding only 23. Vastly impressive figures.
The only thing they aren’t good at, is being as good as Barcelona - a nigh on impossible task.
Starting XI
1 Casillas
17 Arbeloa - 4 Ramos - 2 Carvalho - 12 Marcelo
11 Granero - 5 Gago - 8 Kaka
7 Ronaldo - 9 Benzema - 22 Di Maria
Substitutions:
46mins - 23 M.Ozil on for 8 Kaka
, 46 - 14 X Alonso on for 5 F Gago
, 64 - 10 L Diarra on for 11 E Granero
A solitary strike on the hour from the previously out of favour Karim Benzema was enough to nudge los Blanco’s past the Mallorcans - whom had held Real to a goalless draw on the opening weekend.
For the first 45 minutes Michael Laudrup’s side were the more impressive on show, easily stifling Real’s over emphasised attacks through Ronaldo - with Kaka off the pace following his return from injury.
Indeed the Islanders also had the better of the early chances with Emilio Nsue cracking a shot off the inside of the post in the 13th minute. Laudrup’s men continually looked lively on the counter through the mobile Pierre Webo, in contrast to the cumbersome play of their more distinguished hosts.
At half time, Real departed to a chorus of disapproval from the 74,000 crowd but after Mourinho culled the ineffectual Kaka for Mesut Ozil and the ponderous Fernando Gago for Xabi Alonso, they returned with more vigour after the interval.
It has been a recurring theme so far this term that los meringues have flattered to deceive in the first period before upping the ante after the resumption. For what it’s worth, Real stand only 5th in the ‘half-time’ league in la Liga - a chart unsurprisingly headed by the Catalan champions.
The deciding incident eventually came after 61 minutes when maligned French striker Benzema briskly worked a shot on the edge of the area and drilled a low left foot shot past Israeli keeper Dudu Aouate for only his second league goal this term. Benzema then went on to turn down a trio of chances to make the game safe with Ronaldo heading onto the bar before Webo almost stole an unlikely point for the visitors with an injury time effort saved by the feet of Iker Casillas.
In any other league at present the ability to accumulate wins when playing below par is considered a trait attributable to champions, but on a weekend when Barcelona sauntered past similarly placed mid table opposition with the minimum of fuss, Real’s performance was post match harshly appraised by fans and critics as being well below par.
And herein lies the problem. Despite being on course to post well over 90 points this season, Real still find themselves adrift of Barca who have incredibly won 18 of their 20 league outings.
Lacking the style and substance of their only rival in a two horse race means there is little solace when things don’t go well. Perversely, Real may end up being the best team in Europe, but not the best team in Spain.
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