Real Madrid - Sporting Gijon: New season, New dreams as Real start their Liga campaign

 

Benitez aims to repeat 2002 and 2004 Spanish domestic success with Valencia.

Real Madrid start their campaign against promoted Sporting Gijon.

By Omer Mohammed                                                                             FOLLOW AT +Omar Mohd 

New coach, new players, new tactics and new dreams. Real Madrid are back in football action this  Sunday with the hope that the next ten months is theirs.

Amid speculation after sacking Carlo Ancelotti, Perez decided to have Benitez at the manager seat. The appointment of the then Napoli boss went furious with the club and players. But Perez, being a man of his decisions rejected the refuse and bought in the Spaniard.

Since, it was all pressure for Rafa without even starting the season as he works at Real Madrid, the most impatient club in the world. Although, he didn't use alot of Perez's money, the squad still looks loaded.

With the signings of Lucas Vazquez, Danilo, Kovacic and Vallejo, Real can afford to start without the starting XI. Casemiro and Denis Cheryshev returns and Lucas Silva and Illara ready to leave.

Tactically speaking, Real have two good keepers at the moment (Keylor and Casilla) although the legendary skipper Casillas left the club. De Gea is also a possibility and Madrid have been playing mouse-and-cat with United for so long.

Ramos ended speculation that he joins United after signing a contract that will keep him in the club till 2019 alongside long-term partner Pepe who extends his deal till 2017. Varane is at his prime and one of the future and Marcelo is excellent. Carvajal and Danilo fight for the place in the right and the defence has improved enormously.

The side just conceded three goals in eight friendlies. The holding two, more likely Modric and Kroos have always been good and key and they can be replaced by Kovacic, Casemiro and Lucas Silva. The three attacking mid, already occupied by Ronaldo on the left. Bale is free to play anyone and may play at the centre and James, more likely to start at the right. Lucas Vazquez and Isco can replace the three.

Benzema, heavily linked to Arsenal, is expected to start at the front and the likes of Jese and Cheryshev provides a whole squad rotation. The stability in defence have lessend the impact on attack though it is too early to say.

The duel is the first of 38 weeks which Real play at Santiago Bernabeau with a dream of achieving the treble.

The match will be played at home against Sporting Gijon on 20:30 CET.  

Sevilla 2-3 Real Madrid: Incredible Ronaldo silences boo boys.

Cristiano Ronaldo hattrick puts an end to Sevilla's home run.

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score hattrick against Sevilla for the fifth consecutive season.

Real Madrid put an end to Sevilla's home record with a tense 3-2 win. The home side came back twice but was unable to draw at the end as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a fantastic hattrick.

Ronaldo was earlier criticised for his rage on Arbeloa last week as the Spaniard stole the ball from the Portugese to score the goal.

However, the latter showed a spectacular display with three brilliant goals against the Andalusian.

The game started poorly for the both the sides as none was able to take advantage at the game. 

The first chance was for Ronaldo who saw his shot get saved by the goalkeeper. However, just 36 minutes into the game, Ronaldo scored an header to give Madrid the lead.

Just a minute later, Ronaldo added another one to his tally with a clinical karate kick finish. James crossed in for Chicharito who put on a terrible header only for the Portuguese to knock home.

Sevilla, too, were never frightened to make a comeback. After a historical comeback against Barcelona three weeks ago, they seemed a repeat after Carlos Bacca scored a penalty seconds before halftime.

The two goal lead was restored when Ronaldo scored a terrific header from the side of the post off Gareth Bale.

But Real Madrid lacked intensity in defense as they conceded another with substitute Iborra scoring an easy tap-in. 

It was then Casillas who came to the rescue as he saved a number of chances that could have proved costly.

The game ended after Ramos cleared away the last corner of Sevilla.

With Real and Ronaldo in good form, they can overcome Juventus whom they visit this Tuesday at Turin for the Champions League semifinals leg-1.   

       

La Liga: Celta Vigo 2-4 Real Madrid: La Liga far from lost.

 

Magnificient Chicharito won it for the shaky visitors.

Barcelona: 81, Real Madrid: 79.

Javier Hernandez Chicharito scored two excellent goals and Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez scored one each in a tough match against Celta.

The defenders were  shaky throughout the match and Celta opened the scoring through Nolito. The Spaniard dribbled down Illara and Carvajal in a stunning fashion before producing a low shot into the net.

However, Real went onto take the lead with the next minutes through Chicharito and Kroos.

At first, Kroos hammered a shot into the net which came of from Celta's defender. And then Chicharito scored his one to give Carlo Ancelotti's men the lead. The Mexican played one-two with James thrice before scoring with a clinical finish.

But Celta leveled score after four minutes. Mina controlled a wonderful long ball by Nolito before tapping in a shot that crackled the post and returned.

Real Madrid almost scored their third through Cristiano who scored a simple-but-class shot that hit the woodwork.

However, Ronaldo's agony was lessened after he assisted James to give Real the lead. The Colombian scored a goal that was deflected off from Castro.

The last and final goal off the game was scored by Chicharito who collected an excellent long ball from Ramos befire firing a shot into the back of the net.

With five more games to play, Real Madrid lie two points behind Barcelona.

Match Report: Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid: Madrid look to turn tables.

 

Injured Bale may miss Rayo clash.

Isco, James battle for starting XI.

Real Madrid return to Liga action three days after thrashing Granada 9-1. However, the upcoming opponents are a much better side: Rayo Vallecano. Real will look for first away win in three matches tonight.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored fantastic five goals against the latter, will surely make the XI alongside Benzema. The Frenchman scored two excellent goals against Granada and showed a splendid performance against Barcelona.

Bale seems to be injured and may be rested and James or Isco to take his position. The midfield will be completed by Modric, Kroos and the above said two.

Ramos, Varane, Carvajal and Marcelo make the back four and Casillas or Navas at the line.

With Barcelona four points ahead of Carlo Ancelotti's men, victory seems less or more inevitable. Barcelona will take Almeria hoping that the latter will surprise the Catalans.

The game will start at 22:00 CET at Rayo Vallecano's stadium.  

Iker Casillas: Top league by Christmas

  

Real Madrid skipper wants La Liga before 2015 according to his club's aims.

The 33-year-old club icon wants to stand in driver's seat before the end of December and start an even better new year.

Real Madrid goalie Iker Casillas has revealed his club's aim for this year. Los Blancos must reach first in La Liga before winter break.

Real Madrid thumped Barcelona 3-1 last week, and the skipper wants his teammates to focus on the number one spot and reach them before Christmas.

"We must try and top league by Christmas. We are closer after Barcelona victory" Casillas told reporters.

When asked what was the inspiration behind achieving aims, the skipper answered the reporters as 'La Decima'.

"La Decima gave celebration to all Real fans. It took a weight from our shoulders".

Real last won La Liga in 2012 under Jose Mourinho with a record 100 points that time. They want to achieve the 33rd in similar fashion and La Decima is taken as inspiration according to the skipper.