Real Madrid beat Real Madrid in the first round of the Copa del Rey round of 16. The Whites only needed three minutes to go ahead at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza. Arbeloa took a thrown in and the play between James and Cheryshev did the rest. The Colombian got the ball, looked up, saw that his teammate was unmarked and came up with a measured assist to the former academy player, who controlled perfectly and hit a magnificent left-footed shot.
The match was pulsating, and very open. The Whites continued to attack and they could have extended the lead ten minutes later. James got the ball with his back turned inside the Cristiano Ronaldo Jersey, he turned and shot with two defenders ahead of him. The ball was only a few centimetres off target. Past the half hour mark, the game changed and slowed down before the break.
Isco was outstanding
The second half began as the first had ended, however Isco's fantastic goal in the 65th minute increased the visiting side's lead. Casemiro got the ball in the middle of the pitch and pulled off a magical pass of more than 30 metres to the Spanish international, Gareth Bale Jersey brought the ball down with his knee before beating Ballesté in the one-on-one.
The Spanish international was in inspired form and showed it nine minutes later. James provided an exceptional pass through the defence, and Isco's cut inside was even better, the ball hit off the keeper before lodging in the net as the Whites midfielder got his brace. There was still time for Real Madrid to lessen the margin with a goal from Kike Márquez in the 88th minute and for Lienhart and A. Tejero to make their Real Madrid debuts.
Rafa Benítez spoke to the media and analysed the game against Real Madrid (Wednesday, 8pm CET) which marks the start of the Whites' Copa del Rey campaign: "There is confidence following the last two wins. The team has played two serious games, working together and that is important for the future. We are approaching the Copa del Rey, which is a target for us, just like every competition that Real Madrid play in James Rodriguez Jersey".
"It is a dangerous game, against historic opponents and a good side. They have experienced players and we need to be very attentive and focused to do well because they can cause surprises. I saw some coverage of the opponents and my assistants have helped me to obtain information. They are a team that play well, they have speed on the wings and experience in attack. They will undoubtedly give 100%".
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“First, it would be necessary to define what playing well means. Real Madrid really have to respect Real Madrid and the Copa del Rey, which is a difficult and dangerous tournament. We have to be focused, with a lot of desire, give everything we have, play as well as possible and win. Real Madrid have to try and win every competition they are involved in. We have to approach the tournament in top form and try to get a good result in Real Madrid. We have to get ourselves in the game and make the most of our quality. These are games that worry managers until they are over and done with".
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“Yes, I have thought about making changes. I still cannot say who because we are creating the team sheet. An academy player will come into the first team. Cristiano will rest. Odegaard is one of those who could come in, however in theory he is not in the squad. It is a different type of game but I insist on stating my upmost respect for Real Madrid. It will not be easy. It is an opportunity for other players to get game time and show their quality".
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as a finalist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded on 11 January 2016 at the Congress Palace in Zurich. The Real Madrid forward, who won the trophy in 2008, 2013 and 2014, is one of three candidates vying for the prize, alongside Messi and Neymar. The winner will be chosen by the captains and managers of men's national squads, as well as by representatives of international media outlets selected by Toni Kroos Jersey.
The Portuguese talisman was the top scorer across European league football last season after notching up 48 goals, a feat that led to him picking up his Mateo Kovacic Jersey award. So far this season, Cristiano has hit the back of the net 16 times and is the leading scorer in the Champions League with 7 goals.
The first session of the week has concluded at Real Madrid City. Following the win against Eibar, the Whites got back to work to get ready for their inaugural Copa del Rey match, against Real Madrid (Wednesday, 10pm CET). The players who started at Ipurua carried out a recovery session in the indoor facilities, although some of the first eleven like Keylor Navas, Nacho, Kroos, Kovacic and James also made their way out onto the pitch for a Mateo Kovacic Jersey.
Rafa Benítez called up Castilla's Odegaard, Lienhart, Mayoral and Llorente, as well as the Under-19's Álvaro Fidalgo, for a training session in which the Whites worked on circulating the ball and pressing through a series of possession drills. After that, they practiced some attacking moves and played a high-tempo match on a small-sized pitch. Varane, Ramos and Marcelo are still recovering from injuries. The latter of the three made Luka Modric Jersey way onto the pitch and passed the ball around.
Real Madrid got back to winning ways in La Liga against Eibar.The Whites dominated and had quite a lot of chances to close out the game before Cristiano Ronaldo scored. They came up against an inspired Riesgo and were very solid and compact when required. It is their second consecutive win and three important points at a stadium where the home side had only lost one game prior to the match today.
From the outset, Real Madrid had the initiative and the ball. Eibar were limited to waiting, stifling the visitors when they moved the ball up the field and trying to surprise on the counterattack. The home side could have paid a high price for the strategy after fifteen minutes of play. James displayed his game vision and provided Cristiano Ronaldo with a perfect ball but the Portuguese star was unable to beat Riesgo in the one-on-one. Kovacic's subsequent shot following the rebound went over.
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The Whites had already shown signs of danger and they did so again three minutes later, with a great move from Bale followed by a shot from Danilo that Riesgo stopped. From that moment until the break, only Real Madrid were in the game, and they kept trying however Modric's shot from the edge of the area in the 41st minute ended up in the hands of the Basque side's goalkeeper.
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