Los Blancos dire awayday record against the La Coruna outfit was finally consigned to the record books courtesy of an early Esteban Granero header and a superb double from Frenchman Karim Benzema in a 3-1 victory.
A make-shift Madrid line-up missing noticeable absentees in Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain did not seem to deter a positive start for the away side, as a Deportivo team pushing for a Champions League place, allowed too much space and freedom to Kaka and Benzema, who almost opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
A succession of poor defensive clearances by Miguel Angel Lotina’s men saw Raul Albiol send the ball searching into the Deportivo box after a initial Madrid corner and Granero (13) managed to ghost in unmarked at the back post to head home past a static Daniel Aranzubia.
Despite a hostile home crowd it was the away side that kept carving out reputable efforts on goal. Captain for the night, Raul, came close twice to scoring his first goal in fifth teen team appearances. Real Madrid’s coveted number seven was unable to latch onto a soaring cross from his strike partner Benzema in a free flowing move against a lacklustre La Coruna backline. However, moments later it was left to Deportivo goalkeeper Aranzubia to produce a sensational save to deny Raul at point blank range in the Whites search for a decisive second.
They didn’t have to wait too long though as a Deportivo corner was collected by Iker Casillas who sent an immediate throw out to the surging Benzema on the left. The striker fed Brazilian Kaka, who teased and tormented Manuel Pablo before picking out the cutting run of Guti bearing down on the Deportivo goal. Positioned eight yards out, the blonde Spaniard decided not to shoot past the on coming Aranzubia, instead, back heeling the ball beautifully behind him to Benzema (40) who had the easiest of tap in’s.
Guti celebrates a crucial Real Madrid victory, bringing Los Blancos within five points of League Leaders Barcelona (above).
A more spirited Deportivo side began the second period and a combative midfield stopped the flow of Real Madrid creativity. Attacking Spaniard Juan Rodriguez looked the most likely to earn the home side a reprieve, along with Pablo Alvarez. A Rodriguez long range attempt (59) didn’t trouble Casillas, but it was a sign the home side were starting to improve.
The impressive Kaka, the driving force for Los Blancos throughout was unlucky not too score with a left footed drive (54) superbly tipped around the post by Aranzubia. The introduction of former Real Madrid youth player Riki (75) gave La Coruna a cutting edge in front of goal and the substitute played a delightful one-two with Alvarez, leading him into the Madrid penalty area where a slight tangle of legs with Sergio Ramos resulted in a penalty being given (85). The man who won the spot kick, stepped up to dispatch the ball to Casillas’s left who got a hand to the effort (85).
A late resurgence from the home faithful saw a flurry of Deportivo pressure searching for the equaliser, but it was the away side, once more that showed their clinical edge in front of goal. Full back Alvaro Arbeloa, continued his rich run of providing crucial assists and Benzema was on hand to slot home for his second of the game inside the area to seal a historic Real Madrid away win (91).
Real Madrid:
Casillas 7: Great throw out to start the move for the second goal and assured as ever.
Arbeloa 7: Again provided an assist and is now a proven first team regular.
Sergio Ramos 6: Lack of concentration for the penalty, but had his usual bustling energy.
Albiol 7: Becoming one of the most consistent centre backs in La Liga.
Marcelo 6: Unlucky to lose his place in the side last weekend, justified his role in the team on Saturday night.
Granero 7: Developing a habit of getting crucial goals. Seems more at home in a Real Madrid jersey now.
Xabi Alonso 6: Good first half, faded in the second and overshadowed by Guti, who has that crucial killer instinct.
Guti 8: Love him or hate him, his creative flair is pivotal for Madrid success, if only he had the mental attributes to go along with his technical skill.
Kaka 8: His best performance since his return from injury. Seemed to enjoy his role of freedom, without having Ronaldo in the side overshadowing him.
Benzema 8: Two goals and he definitely grabbed his opportunity to impress with Ronaldo and Higuain missing.
Raul 6: The Captain could have had two goals, but needs some match sharpness to return to form.
Substitutes: Drenthe 5: Little time to make an impact.
Deportivo:
Aranzubia 7, Laure 6, Colotto 6, Lopo 5, Pablo 7, Tomas 6, Rodriguez 7, Juca 5, Valeron 5, Alvarez 7, Adrian 6. Substitutes: Perez 5, Riki 7, Bodipo 6.
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