Sunday, March 4, 2012

Real Madrid 5-0 Espanyol

Whites give sensational and thrilling performance; Higuain (2), Ronaldo, Khedira and Kaka score for the team.


Real Madrid have scored 85 goals in 24 league games thanks to the five netted against Espanyol tonight, which also gave them a tenth straight victory in the championship. The Whites were superior throughout the encounter and thrilled their fans with an electrifying shower of goals at the Bernabeu.

Carvalho came on for the suspended Pepe and Real Madrid didn't have such an intense start to the match as usual, but Espanyol seemed weary and hardly managed to give two consecutive passes. Mourinho's men completely controlled the match and soon started to have chances. The first was a Ronaldo shot that grazed one of the posts (11'), followed by one by Kaka inside the box that was cleared by goalkeeper Casilla (19').

Real scored the opener two minutes later when Ozil stole the ball as Espanyol's defence had made a mess of a clearance, passed it to Higuain and the Argentine then left it for Ronaldo to nutmeg Casilla (21').

The goal spurred Real Madrid and an excellent combination between Ozil and Khedira ended in a strike by the latter that gave the locals a comfortable lead (38'). Higuain and Ronaldo nearly scored some more before half-time but were unlucky.

The second half couldn't have had a better start: Kaka entered the box after a long run and served a perfect assist for Higuain to tally the third. Espanyol completely deflated and Mourinho benched Carvalho, who already had one booking. Varane came on and Real continued to dominate the match. Casilla cleared another Ronaldo shot and the Portuguese striker later crossed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Kaka and sent into the goal when the defence made a mess of its attempt to clear it (65').

Callejon came on for Ozil one minute later amidst exultant celebration in the stands. In the final minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo passed the ball to Morata looking to help him score, but Casilla sent the youth teamer's shot to corner (87').

Real Madrid finish preparing to face Espanyol



Jose Mourinho analysed tomorrow's match...


"I don't know how fit Kaka will be for the match yet. He didn't train yesterday, but given the many injuries we sustain we'll need everyone available, so we'll have to see if he can make a sacrifice for 20, 45 or 90 minutes. We'll see how he responds to training."

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Mourinho calls-up 21 players for clash with Espanyol


Jose Mourinho has included 21 men on his squad list for tomorrow's clash with Espanyol. Sahin, Altintop and Lass have recovered from their injuries in time for the match. Castilla's Jesus and Morata have also made the cut. Benzema, Di Maria and Coentrao are injured, while Pepe is suspended with five bookings.
Goalkeepers : Casillas, Adam and Jesus
Defenders : Arbeloa, Carvalho, Varane, Albiol, Marcelo and Ramos
Midfielders : Sahin, Altintop, Lass, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Ozil, Callejon, Granero and Kaka.
Forwards : Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain and Morata.

Return of the internationals



Jose Mourinho had 18 men on hand plus youth teamers Morata and Jesus in today's session.

Most of the men who played international games in the last couple of days rejoined the squad to prepare for Sunday's match against Espanyol. Castillas's Morata and Jesus joined the 18 men available to Mourinho this afternoon. Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Sahin, Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo were all starters with their national teams and tackled mild recovery exercises while the rest trained at a higher pace.

The squad divided into three groups. Fitness trainer Rui Faria supervised the workouts consisting on physical and ball exercises tackled by the internationals who were starters. Varane, Higuain, Granero, Callejon, Albiol, Altintop, Lass, Carvalho, Kaka and Morata did more intense exercises; while goalkeepers Casillas, Adan and Jesus trained with goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro.