Real Madrid overcame a tricky clash with bottom club Xerez on Saturday night as they arrived back from Andalucía with máximum points thanks to a clinical spell of finishing towards the end of the game.
A first ever Los Blancos goal for Alvaro Arbeloa in the freezing southern Spain conditions knocked the wind out of Xerez’s sails, and who-else, but the returning Cristiano Ronaldo, fired a late doublé salvo to send Real Madrid back to the capital with a flattering scoreline.
La Liga’s basement club didn’t seem in awe of Los Blancos’s visit and Xerez started the better.
Xerez’s number eleven Jeronimo Momo found himself unmarked (11) at the far post and after a good touch the Spaniard fired a left footed drive, flying just wide past the diving Iker Casillas’s right.
The home side’s early pressure on Real Madrid’s goal was almost undone following an incisive Madrid break away after a Xerez corner. Whites star Cristiano Ronaldo should have scored, instead shooting over under close inspection from the Xerez defence.
Madrid’s main threat appeared to be on the break, but the home side were not afraid to push forward and Momo, for the second time found himself within sight of Casillas’s goal, but his wayward drive sailed over, further adding to Xerez’s woeful scoring return this season of just thirteen goals.
Towards the end of the first period, only a matter of inches prevented Real Madrid taking an undeserved lead into the break. Alvaro Arbeloa’s curling right footed cross was met expertly by the head of Ronaldo but his attempt flew inches wide leaving Xerez goalkeeper Renan planted on his line.
As the game progressed in the second period, Los Blancos’s extra quality and finesse began to demand authority over the game, whilst Xerez’s chances of fashioning a goal seemed a distant memory from their first half performance.
Alvaro Arbeloa, who has been ever involved in Madrid’s forward play this season, turned from provider to finisher (64) when he burst through the Xerez defence from the right to meet a Xabi Alonso through ball, before gently slotting the ball over the line to give Madrid the lead. The ex-Liverpool defender was then greeted with a chorus of smiles from his teammates following his striker-esc finish.
One became two moments later (69) when the two most expensive players in world football combined to register a fatal knockout blow to Xerez. A lung busting run from Kaka down the right saw the playmaker look up and deliver a pin-point cross to Ronaldo, who had ghosted in at the back post and he headed home with aplomb, much to the delight of the Portuguese starlet whom has been kicking his heels in recent weeks due to suspension.
Ronaldo (above) was keen to make up for lost time due to suspension and he punished Xerez by helping himself to two goals.
Just little over a minute later it was the same men, producing the same routine and end result again killing off a confidence starved Xerez. A quickfire Ronaldo run through the centre of the pitch, supplied Kaka with a slightly over hit pass, only for the Brazilian to get to the ball before goalkeeper Renan, turn whilst maintaining his balance and then he passed the ball across the penalty area for Ronaldo to easily score.
Substitute Royston Drenthe had a late effort cleared off the line as Real Madrid looked to bolster their goals tally, but it didn’t affect the game’s final outcome as Los Blancos secured their first ever away win at the Nuevo Chapin.
Real Madrid:
Casillas 7: Calm and cool in dealing with crosses, wasn’t directly tested by Xerez.
Arbeloa 8: Fast becoming the stand out performer in this Madrid team at present.
Garay 6: Strong in the air, but looked a vulnerable to runs in behind him.
Ramos 6: Steady, but his body language suggests he prefers to play at full back.
Marcelo 6: Provided good attacking support and proving Pellegrini right to bring him back into the first team picture.
Diarra 7: Powerful in midfield and too good for Xerez.
Alonso 7: Passing was crisp and accurate, but he needs to add to his game in the final third.
Granero 8: The former Getafe man is benefitting from a run in the side and was impressive.
Kaka 8: Two great assists and his form appears to be clicking into place now.
Higuain 6: A quiet game by his standards, but it looks like he is still trying to reach full match fitness again.
Ronaldo 8: On his return, two goals and his link-up play with Kaka is getting better and better. Clinical.
Substitutes:
Raul 6: Needs a goal to get some confidence back. M.Diarra 6: Solid. Drenthe 6: Came close with late effort.
Xerez:
Renan: 6, Juan Redondo 6: Aythami 7, Casado 6, Gioda 5, Moreno 6, Sanchez 6, Keita 5, Momo 7, Calvo 7, Bermejo 6. Substitutes: Antonito 6, Alustiza 5, Abel 5
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