Jan 27, 2013

Galácticos and Goals Galore


 
Hello, Madridistas!  Apologies for the lack of updates on my part, but I'm back and my oh my!  Our blancos have built some momentum and continue to do well in 2013.  In spite of the few setbacks of having San Iker sidelined due to injury, the men shone brightly at home.  Solidarity.  We have it in spades.  Cristiano Ronaldo left the Bernabéu inspired, scoring a perfect hattrick in under 10 minutes in the second half.  Additionally, the Madeira man netted his 100th goal at the Bernabéu.
 
The first half was lackluster in comparison to the second, with no goals scored by either side.  Madrid had some opportunities in the early minutes with Cristiano and Di María's respective attempts.  Nevertheless, Getafe's defense held fast – perhaps barely by a thread – and this was only in the first 15 minutes.  Los Blancos had more chances afterwards, most notably when German wunderkind, Mesut Özil, paired up with Cristiano, creating one of the more beautiful plays in the match.  However, Moyá came to his team's rescue, holding off the draw of first blood... much to the home crowd's disappointment.


José Mourinho must have lit a fire during the descanso as Madrid was unstoppable after the break.  (Perhaps he brought up the fact he just celebrated his 50th birthday and would be severely disappointed.  No one likes a grumpy Mister!)  Some changes were made in lineup, which resulted in Essein moving to the position of right back and Sergio Ramos moving inside to center back.  And oh what a wonderful change that was.  Ramos opened the score sheet at the 53', following a corner taken by Özil, and this would only be the beginning for los Blancos.

With 12 minutes on the clock, Real Madrid needed goals now more than ever.  Ricardo Carvalho started the counterattack with a cross-field pass to Özil, who then waited for the opportune moment to set up Cristiano.  The FIFA Ballon d'Or runner-up took a shot and what a beauty it was to watch as it sailed in.  One word: unstoppable.  It would only be a matter of three minutes before he scored again, this time with a header, following a cross from Di María.  3-0!  3-0!  Surely this would be all from the Men in White, right?  Far from it.

You cannot fault this club for lack of ambition.  Madrid is hungry for more – always.  Cristiano would complete his hattrick at the 72' mark, successfully converting a penalty for a foul on Modric by Getafe's Lopo.  A perfect hattrick from Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring with his left, his right, and a header – all within the constraint of 10 minutes – leaves spectators with a taste of beautiful football.  Hopefully the men can replicate this come Wednesday!

Real Madrid face rivals FC Barcelona this Wednesday at home for the first leg of the Copa del Rey finals.  Clos Gómez will be officiating the match.  Until then, keep calm and ¡Hala Madrid!

written by Gail Hidalgo

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