Suddenly, the atmosphere in Madrid has changed. The fans and the players have regained the confidence they lost when they collapsed at home to Atletico on Matchday 3 of La Liga. But since then, Carlo Ancelotti has made some tactical changes and new signings -- James Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez in particular -- have stepped up their game.
The "bouncing back" mission first started in the UEFA Champions League with Karim Benzema's ridiculously complex goal sealed a 5-2 triumph over FC Basel. The momentum went into last Saturday's encounter away to Deportivo La Coruna.
The Riazor is naturally a difficult venue for Los Blancos who had only beaten Depor twice in 21 outings. However, Real Madrid capitalized on the mediocre performance of the hosts to record a monumental 8-2 victory.
Hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo led the goal fest as Gareth Bale and Chicharito grabbed a brace while James netted one of the many golazos in the game. A real show.
Against Elche, the home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu will be hoping for more of the same. The underdogs already had a miserable encounter away to another giant, Barcelona. That was on Matchday 1 of the Spanish Primera Division. Elche conceded trice. After losing 2-0 to Eibar last Friday, it would take something special for the visitors to upset Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's Starting XI: Navas, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Carvajal; Illarramendi, Isco, James, Kroos; Cristiano, Bale.
Elche's Starting XI: Manu Herrera, Lombán, Cisma, Mosquera, Adrián, Coro, Rodrigues, Víctor, Pelegrín, Edu Albacar, Jonathas.
Real Madrid's Subs: Casillas, Coentrao, Benzema, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Nacho, Modric.
Elche's Subs: Tyton, Damian, Enzo Roco, Cristian H. , José Angel, Faycal, Pasalic.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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