3 takeaways from Real Madrid’s 4-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk

Real Madrid - Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0

Real Madrid strolled past Shakhtar Donetsk in their first Champions League match of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, while Karim Benzema capitalized on a rare Andriy Pyatov mistake to add gloss to a routine win. Los Blancos have now scored fifteen goals in their last three matches and have conceded none.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again led the team and continues to silence any remaining doubters. The victory, however, may have left coach Rafa Benítez with a bittersweet feeling, as Gareth Bale, Varane and Ramos were all substituted due to injury concerns. Benítez will further hope that his team keeps up the intensity seen in the last matches.


1. Cristiano Ronaldo

CR7 is back with a bang. Having scored 8 goals in the last two games, the Portuguese forward continues to prove that he intends to lead Madrid to a trophy-winning season. In addition, the Madeira-native superstar became the Champions League’s all-time penalty top scorer with 11 spot kicks to his name. With 80 goals in the UCL, the battle between Ronaldo and Messi (who has scored 77) for all-time top scorer will be an intense one.


2. Injury concerns

It’s starting to feel as if every time Gareth Bale goes to the ground, he is forced off due to some injury. "I’m not worried about the injuries, most of our players are healthy and today’s problems were not serious," stated Rafa Benítez. However, with Danilo and James already out, and a potentially serious injury to the Welsh wizard, Madrid may have to rely on some of their more fringe players. Ramos, with a confirmed dislocated shoulder, will surely miss Saturday’s game against Granada.

In the meanwhile, the Madrid medical staff will be hoping that the team will avoid being plagued by such injuries in the more key parts of the season.


3. Madrid must avoid complacency

Despite some promising displays, Rafa Benítez will have hoped that his team had faced some more stern competition. Following some colossal victories, and with another likely routine win against Granada on Saturday, Los Blancos may grow overconfident.

Rafa Benítez will need to remind his players of Betis’ atrocious defending and of the fact that it was a Pyatov mistake and an unfair penalty which stretched Madrid’s lead against Shakhtar. Indeed, the Madrid displays have been encouraging, but it is no time for complacency in a season that must finish with a trophy for Benítez’s men.

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Review: Espanyol vs Real Madrid

Espanyol vs Real Madrid 0-6

Three things we learned:

1. Ronaldo's still got it

Some talk in the past few weeks of a slump had entered the Madrid sphere with fans and critics alike wondering if Ronaldo's numbers will take a dip this season. Credit it to his drive or a poor Espanyol defense, but the #7 quieted that talk today with a masterclass in finishing. Five goals on seven shots with an assist to boot, not a bad way to get on track. Basically, Ronaldo did this.

2. The offense is varied, and this is very encouraging

This goal by Benzema is reminiscent of 2011's counterattacks and it all started with an excellent Bale throughball. Ronaldo's fourth was almost a carbon copy. However, Madrid also looked threatening in possession and with patient build-up play. Last year the offense stagnated late and relied too heavily on crosses, this year it seems to have more variety. Will this last remains to be seen, but early signs are highly promising.

3. The defense is looking... better

Some nervy moments aside, the back four held up their end of the bargain versus a decent pairing of Caicedo and Moreno. The former did manage to bully Ramos off the ball early on, but Espanyol's chances were few and far in between. Madrid could stand to improve its passing at the back and limit individual brain farts like we saw with Ramos early but it'll do for today. A better opponent will provide more of a test but there's no way anyone can complain about three clean sheets to open the season.

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Review: Real Madrid vs Real Betis

Real Madrid

It did not take long for Benzema and James Rodríguez to prove that they deserve a starting spot in this Real Madrid squad. James scored twice, assisted Bale for Real's opening goal and Karim Benzema added one of his own to seal Real's comfortable 5-0 win.

Still, Keylor Navas will share the spotlight with James after this one. The Costa Rican started the match which could've been his last for Real Madrid if Los Blancos finally complete the signing of De Gea. Turns out that he stopped one penalty-kick and made a memorable save right before the half-time whistle. Keylor clearly doesn't want to leave the club and the fans are not ready to see his departure either as they sang his name on several occasions throughout the match.

The game was almost over as soon as Bale scored on the first minute. After that opening goal, Real Madrid clearly tried to control the tempo of the game through the midfield. Madrid didn't create many opportunities until James scored off a brilliantly taken free-kick that touched the net after hitting the far post. He didn't have enough with that so after Benzema made it 3-0 James decided to score a candidate for Goal of the Year off a bicycle kick. He was close to Betis' goal so it's true that the Colombian did not need to add much power to his shot, but it still was something to see.

Gareth Bale

In other news, Gareth Bale also made a statement with a brace and an assist. The Welsh player was heavily criticized after the 0-0 draw to Sporting Gijón and tonight he showed that he has many things to offer if he plays with freedom behind the striker. His second goal which ended the game 5-0 was an astonishing long-distance shot that hit the post before going in. He is definitely one of the best from outside the box.

In other news, Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be uncomfortable with his role. He had many chances to score tonight but his accuracy just wasn't there. Real Madrid will surely need him down the road so the Portuguese needs to get back on scoring form as soon as possible.

All things considered, Real Madrid earned all three points in very good fashion. Players like Bale, Keylor Navas and James don't have a chip on their shoulder anymore after their brilliant display tonight. Betis have just promoted to the Liga BBVA and things will not be this easy against elite opposition, but Benítez and his players have every right to enjoy and build on this win.

source: managingmadrid.com

See Real Madrid 5-0 Real Betis Highlight

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Real Madrid vs Real Betis Preview: Can Rafa fix Real's offensive problem?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid endured a disappointing 0-0 loss in week one of La Liga. The defense was solid throughout, although rather lucky to overcome a shocking deficit thanks to the lack of goal line technology in Spain.

The real culprit for the team however was the offense, which continually wasted one major opportunity after another. It seems that the exercises that Rafa Benitez is imposing in training, in which players have to work on accuracy by hitting the crossbar, are not paying off.

All kidding aside, accuracy was not really the problem though one could have a few choice words for some astonishing misses by Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The situation lies in the system that is in place as well as a few other continually baffling decisions. The top four on Sunday included Jese Rodriguez up top, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo on the flanks and Gareth Bale as the player in the hole.

The rationale for this is as follows. Jese has shown strong potential in the preseason and his great speed should create space in the final third. Ronaldo has always exceled on the left so he should be fine there with the liberty to shift up top alongside Jese. Bale was best in the hole for Tottenham a few seasons ago, and the liberty of being the CAM should unlock his offensive potential. Meanwhile Isco worked at times on the wing last year.

Here is the problem with those decisions.

Bale is not a natural 10. Moreover, he works best when he has tremendous speed and can use it. In Spain, being in the hole means needing to work well in tight spaces. In the Premier League, there is more space at that position. Bale for all of his technique is not good with little space. Want some evidence? Look at his output in 2014-15.

Gareth Bale

Isco is a natural player to put in the hole because he is fantastic in tight spaces. Putting him on the wing is a waste of his talents and really gets rid of the chance to use a speedy player out wide.

Ronaldo is no longer the the speed demon of years past. He has knee issues and at 30 is due for physical decline. Yet a 60-goal scorer does not suddenly lose that ability overnight, and he showed last year that he plays well in an advanced position.

Finally Jese's speed is precisely the kind you relish on the flank. That said, he is not among the top four attackers on the team. It could be argued that he is the sixth or seventh best option on Madrid's bench.

Before we look at the better lineup decisions, let us look at how poorly this front four operated. It seems that Benitez, recognizing that his players could rotate around the pitch, thus creating some unpredictability for the defense, gave them the freedom to move about.

That rotation policy usually works well when two players are doing it because there are constants that create stability for the team itself. Last year, Madrid's players always knew that Karim Benzema would always be the target man and thus would have that focal point on which to latch while Ronaldo moved from the flank to forward or when Bale and him interchanged the wings.

With all players on the rotation policy, it becomes more difficult for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to figure out who will be where at a given point. Moreover, it makes it hard for the four attackers to know where they have to go at a given moment as the freedom could get and got chaotic.

The system however was not the sole problem for Los Blancos as it became apparent that one player could make all the difference.

The moment James Rodriguez came on the pitch in the second half, the team looked more threatening and organized. Rodriguez pushed Ronaldo up top and started making deft crosses from the left flank. He is probably best used in the hole, but he also has shown strong abilities on the wing and was starting to break down Sporting Gijon's defense. With a little more time he probably helps Madrid make it happen. For some context, with only 35 minutes of gameplay, Rodriguez had two key passes, tied for fourth on the team and had one shot on target, tied for second on the team.

James

He was more efficient with his play and clearly the best option to lead the way on the attack. While Benitez expressed concern over the Colombian's fitness, it is clear that Rodriguez was necessary to unlock Gijon's defenses in this crucial opener.

Then there is the question of free kicks. Ronaldo is the talisman, he scores dozens and dozens of goals. The problem is that none of them usually come from the free kick position. Last year he had one goal from a free kick. Ronaldo prefers power over accuracy. But his skills have eroded in this particular department, and he is undeniably not the best option for Madrid to take on this responsibility. While he might not like losing goalscoring opportunities, it is not as if he was scoring a bulk of his tallies in this manner, so getting him out of there would not hurt his totals. It would help his team, especially with Rodriguez and Bale taking the kicks instead. Both players have better accuracy from the free kick position. Ronaldo, as he did twice on Sunday, tends to hit the wall with his kicks or sends it over repeatedly.

Benitez has a lot of hard work to do in the coming week because Madrid cannot afford to drop more points at home, especially with a volatile group of fans that could turn on the team at a moment's notice.

source: latinpost.com

Last Result at estadio Santiago Bernabeu: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis (19/08/2013)

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Review: Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid

Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid

Rafael Benitez oversaw a disappointing 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon in the first competitive fixture of his reign as Real Madrid manager.

The Spanish giants, who were without Karim Benzema due to a thigh injury, produced a somewhat disjointed performance in a match that was also the first since goalkeeper Iker Casillas' departure to Porto.

Hosts Sporting defended impressively and frustrated their opponents, who for all of their possession and shots on goal rarely looked like scoring.

Gareth Bale, playing in a new central role and running onto Luka Modric's outstanding through-ball, perhaps came closest to scoring for Real 12 minutes in, when he rounded Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar but, from a tight angle, could only shoot against the side netting.

Jese, playing in Benzema's absence, and Isco also produced unremarkable efforts before in the 33rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo, who may yet suffer as a consequence of Bale's new position, produced a 25-yard shot that Cuellar comfortably saved.

Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid Highlight

While Real's medium-to-long-range efforts hinted at frustration, Sporting came far closer to scoring than their expensively-assembled opponents.

Reading a cross from the right wing, Antonio Sanabria, on loan from Roma, sent a powerful header beyond Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas but against the underside of the bar where it then bounced downwards onto the goal-line and out.

Real instantly responded with a counter-attack that was ended, after a cross from Bale, when Ronaldo went down under a challenge from Luis Hernandez but though a penalty appeared the right decision nothing was given.

As Real largely continued to shoot straight at Cuellar, his team-mate Carlos Carmona almost gave Sporting the lead three minutes after half-time with a powerful header that went just beyond the post.

The visitors gradually applied increasing pressure but still a goal looked beyond them.

Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid Highlight

In the 78th minute, after a shot from Ronaldo, Marcelo headed the rebound over from in front of goal and six minutes later the Portuguese again came close when his powerful shot, heading for the top corner, was saved by the resilient Cuellar.

The game's final chance came to Ronaldo, three minutes into stoppage time, when Real were awarded a free-kick from 25 yards out but, in a moment that captured much of their evening, the forward harmlessly struck against the defensive wall.

source: espnfc.com

Watch Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid Highlight

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Preview: Sporting Gijon vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid

Real Madrid kick off their 2015-16 Liga campaign with a visit to newly-promoted Sporting Gijon on Sunday as last season's runners-up eye a winning start.

It also the first chance for new Real coach Rafael Benitez to gauge the strength of his squad ahead of what promises to be another close-fought battle with Barcelona for domestic supremacy.

Sporting Gijon

Sporting Gijon

This time last year, Sporting Gijon were preparing for another season in Spain's second tier as they struggled to return among the country's elite since their relegation in 2011-12.

Fast forward 12 months and the Rojiblancos are preparing to rub shoulders with the big boys once more - and they don't come much bigger than Real Madrid.

"Out of 100 matches against Madrid we would win one, hopefully that will be tomorrow".

They are not quite 100/1 outsiders, but Sporting coach Abelardo is certainly not oblivious to the idea that victory on Sunday would represent a major shock.

In reality, the hosts are 11/1 to kick off their campaign with a surprise win and, under the circumstances, Abelardo's pessimism is perhaps justified.

Lacking the budget to make many waves in the transfer market, Abelardo has been forced to boost his squad with loan signings, with Alen Halilovic the latest new recruit after joining temporarily from Barcelona on Friday.

Antonio Sanabria and Omar Mascarell have also joined in loan deals - the latter of whom joined from Real - but it is difficult to envisage their squad being strong enough to test Benitez's side this weekend.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid

History tells us that Real Madrid do not stay down for long, and Benitez is charged with the task of lifting them once more as they look to redeem themselves following a trophyless season under axed Carlo Ancelotti last term.

For Madrid, the only thing worse than winning nothing is watching on as bitter Clasico rivals Barcelona scoop the lot.

The Catalans took their Champions League title, their Copa del Rey, and pipped them to the Liga by just two points in a treble-winning season that will have had Madristas green with envy. It is Benitez's job to get it all back - and the road to redemption starts at El Molinon.

In June, eyebrows were raised when the Spaniard replaced Ancelotti - who led the Blancos to their 10th European Cup crown just 12 months previous - but a strong start to his tenure on Sunday would see the doubters pipe down. For now.

It is a long season, and the resounding win envisioned for them this weekend will not vindicate president Florentino Perez for hiring Benitez - but it would be a start.

Team News

Karim Benzema and Fabio Coentrao both sat out training on Friday to plunge their participation on Sunday into doubt - their only two injuries.

Benitez must decide whether to start with goalkeeper Keylor Navas or Kiko Casilla, with the latter joining from Espanyol earlier this summer.

Signed from Inter Milan this week, midfielder Mateo Kovacic could also earn his debut as he replaces Sami Khedira in the squad.

Meanwhile, Abelardo has no injury concerns ahead of meeting Real.

Miguel Angel Guerrero finished as the Rojiblancos' top goalscorer in Segunda B last term and is expected to spearhead the attack this Sunday.

Sporting Gijon possible starting lineup:
Pichu; L Hernandez, Espinosa, Ramos, Lopez; Alvarez, Cases, Carmona, Halilovic; Guerrero, Castro

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kovacic, Modric, James; Isco, Bale, Ronaldo

Head To Head

Ominously, Sporting have only beaten Real once in 19 years - a shock 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2011. Sunday's visitors have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, with five of those coming at El Molinon. The hosts' last home victory came way back in 1994.

source: sportsmole.co.uk

Last Result at El Molinón: Sporting Gijon 0 - 3 Real Madrid

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5 reasons Real Madrid will be stronger than last season

Jese - Bale

Across the country in Barcelona, their great rivals clinched a historic treble. At home in the Spanish capital, they were consistently overcome by their neighbours, Atletico Madrid. In two league meetings, they were blunted by Valencia. And in Europe, their campaign was brought to a halt by Juventus. 

For Real Madrid, a season that started so promisingly was derailed by an archenemy, fellow heavyweights and a re-emerging Spanish power in the east.

Consequently, change has come to the Bernabeu this summer, Rafa Benitez replacing Carlo Ancelotti as manager as Real Madrid look to reverse their fortunes.

But how optimistic can the club be as it seeks to bring down a rampant Barcelona? Are there reasons to believe Los Blancos can be stronger this season than they were last?

Across the following slides, we try to find five such reasons.

Enhanced Squad Depth

Lucas Vazquez

A major issue for Real Madrid at the back end of last season was the absence of a capable and healthy supporting cast to complement the team's major stars.

Both Sami Khedira and Fabio Coentrao battled with injury, Lucas Silva didn't make the grade, Alvaro Arbeloa was ineffective and Asier Illarramendi, Javier Hernandez and Jese didn't appear to hold the trust of Carlo Ancelotti.

As a result, Real Madrid had few options to turn to as injuries and fatigue hit, their season grinding to a halt after January.

Now, however, the situation looks different. Denis Cheryshev has been recalled from Villarreal, Lucas Vazquez has been bought back from Espanyol, Casemiro has returned from Porto, Danilo will back up Daniel Carvajal (or vice versa) at right-back and Jese looks set for a more prominent role under the new manager.

Naturally, Benitez will have his hands full juggling playing time, and positional battles such as the one between Danilo and Carvajal will cause a few headaches. But overall, Madrid's supporting cast looks significantly stronger, giving a manager renowned for his love of rotation countless options when configuring his XI. 

Improved Balance in Midfield

Casemiro

It was a problem first exploited by Real Sociedad last August and never truly rectified: Real Madrid's midfield in 2014-15 lacked strength, power and grit. Balance, essentially.

Though Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Isco gave Ancelotti perhaps the most gifted and attacking midfield ensemble in Europe, it was a recipe that was all too precarious, the margins too fine. The midfield needed a proper anchor, not just a converted one.

This season, though, Benitez is likely to address that lack of balance.

In the manager's 4-2-3-1, Kroos in particular should benefit from operating as one half of a holding duo rather than covering those duties on his own. Additionally, Benitez will likely turn to the defensive talents of Casemiro (and maybe Asier Illarramendi) in games against heavyweight opposition that will require a greater two-way commitment in midfield.

Casemiro is exactly what Real Madrid need: a gritty, physical ball-winner prepared to get his hands dirty and set a platform for those ahead of him.

Stability Within the Squad This Summer

Sergio Ramos

You have to remember the concept of relativity here.

So far this summer, Real Madrid have discarded club icon Iker Casillas, signed a goalkeeper they might not need in Kiko Casilla, addressed a problem that didn't really exist with the purchase of Danilo, recalled Casemiro, whose non-EU status means the recently signed Lucas Silva has to go, and they have been engulfed in long-running sagas involving Sergio Ramos and David De Gea.

And yet, for Real Madrid, that constitutes a pretty quiet summer. Remarkable, huh?

The thing is, though, this time around the club hasn't dismantled its core, instead retaining its spine and key personnel while making more peripheral adjustments.

There have been no Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso-style exits—no arrivals demanding full-scale overhauls of the XI.

As such, Real Madrid head into a new campaign with a calming (relative) sense of familiarity within the squad.

Gareth Bale Is Past the Dreaded 2nd Season

Gareth Bale

The second-season syndrome is a thing, isn't it? A real disease, yeah? It just has to be. After all, there's a Wikipedia page for it. Steve Bruce says it exists too, and Steve Bruce has always felt like the kind of guy who'd sit you down in a pub corner and tell you all the world's truths.

Anyway, what other than the second-season syndrome can explain Gareth Bale's journey from barnstorming Brit aboard and cup-final hero to bombarded Brit abroad and ponytailed target for whistles?

He was fitter last season than he was during his first. More accustomed to Spain. More comfortable with his new club. And skills don't just disappear. So what was it?

Some will say it was the haircut, but it must have been the curse of the second season, mustn't it?

The good news: He's past that now.

A Team with a Point to Prove Is Always a Dangerous Team

Real Madrid

On December 20 last year, Real Madrid lifted the Club World Cup to claim their fourth title in 12 months and cap off a blistering, record-breaking stretch.

But what followed? Loss, loss, loss.

Admittedly, one was a friendly against AC Milan (and injuries took a toll), but you get the picture: After scaling the mountain, after taking all before them, Real Madrid seemed to exhale at that moment, losing their edge, losing their momentum, their hunger perhaps temporarily satisfied.

Frankly, it all unravelled from there.

It's why defending titles is so difficult: The physical and mental cost of triumph is immense, and at the end of it, the chasing pack want it more.

Now, though, Real Madrid are part of that chasing pack.

Indeed, with Barcelona snatching everything away—the UEFA Super Cup most recently—Los Blancos now have much to prove. They're the hunters, not the hunted.

Teams in such a situation are always dangerous.

source: bleacherreport.com

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