Don't be astonished if Real Madrid win the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League season after coming so close last season and showing great progress now.
Real Madrid are on fire in Europe. The Spanish giants are impressively improving on each match-day at the delight of Madridistas. In their first encounter, Los Blancos found it hard to break the aggressive players of Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. But a lone strike from Angel di Maria set Real Madrid on a winning debut.
Next, they defeated Ajax 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu before trouncing Olympique Lyon 4-0 on Tuesday night. Satisfied by the outcome of the match, coach Jose Mourinho declared during the post-match press conference:
“I enjoyed watching my team tonight. Except for a ten-minute period where we relaxed, which is normal, we controlled the match throughout. We put Lyon under a lot of pressure and did not let them off easily, even when we knew the game was won.”
Humbled by his team’s heavy defeat, Lyon’s manager Remi Garde confessed his opinion about Real Madrid’s greatness. The French coach explained that Les Gones had not “played against a side as strong as Real Madrid in a long time” and added the following:
“I thought before the game Real Madrid will go far in the UEFA Champions League. I haven't changed my mind.
“As the games go on in the competition they become harder, but when you see Gonzalo Higuaín, Kaká and Fábio Coentrão coming off the bench you see they have the depth to go all the way.”
Jose Mourinho’s squad decisions have apparently been good enough thus far this season. The competition among the team’s strikers is huge between Higuain and Benzema whereas the presence of Kaka, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Özil gives more options for Mourinho.
Star winger Angel di Maria apparently has no problem with the fact that places aren’t guaranteed in Real Madrid’s starting XI. In a revealing comment after Los Blancos’ emphatic victory over Olympique Lyon, the Argentine youngster stated:
“The team is playing really well and you don't notice who is coming in and out of the first XI because everything is working for us. It's important we continue in this way.”
Real Madrid are now 6-point clear off AFC Ajax and Olympique Lyon. Los Blancos are poised to go through the group stages with a perfect record. As of now, their defensive line is yet to be deceived. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas hasn’t conceded a single goal.
At the other end of the pitch, Real Madrid have made good use of their chances. They’ve scored 7 goals in their last 2 matches in the UEFA Champions League. In total, they hold a 8-0 record.
Early next month, the Spanish giants will complete their double header against Olympique Lyon. The Stade de Gerland curse may be hard to break, but a point will be enough for Madrid to seal qualification into the knock-out stages of the competition.
Next, they defeated Ajax 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu before trouncing Olympique Lyon 4-0 on Tuesday night. Satisfied by the outcome of the match, coach Jose Mourinho declared during the post-match press conference:
“I enjoyed watching my team tonight. Except for a ten-minute period where we relaxed, which is normal, we controlled the match throughout. We put Lyon under a lot of pressure and did not let them off easily, even when we knew the game was won.”
Humbled by his team’s heavy defeat, Lyon’s manager Remi Garde confessed his opinion about Real Madrid’s greatness. The French coach explained that Les Gones had not “played against a side as strong as Real Madrid in a long time” and added the following:
“I thought before the game Real Madrid will go far in the UEFA Champions League. I haven't changed my mind.
“As the games go on in the competition they become harder, but when you see Gonzalo Higuaín, Kaká and Fábio Coentrão coming off the bench you see they have the depth to go all the way.”
Jose Mourinho’s squad decisions have apparently been good enough thus far this season. The competition among the team’s strikers is huge between Higuain and Benzema whereas the presence of Kaka, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and Özil gives more options for Mourinho.
Star winger Angel di Maria apparently has no problem with the fact that places aren’t guaranteed in Real Madrid’s starting XI. In a revealing comment after Los Blancos’ emphatic victory over Olympique Lyon, the Argentine youngster stated:
“The team is playing really well and you don't notice who is coming in and out of the first XI because everything is working for us. It's important we continue in this way.”
Real Madrid are now 6-point clear off AFC Ajax and Olympique Lyon. Los Blancos are poised to go through the group stages with a perfect record. As of now, their defensive line is yet to be deceived. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas hasn’t conceded a single goal.
At the other end of the pitch, Real Madrid have made good use of their chances. They’ve scored 7 goals in their last 2 matches in the UEFA Champions League. In total, they hold a 8-0 record.
Early next month, the Spanish giants will complete their double header against Olympique Lyon. The Stade de Gerland curse may be hard to break, but a point will be enough for Madrid to seal qualification into the knock-out stages of the competition.
