Real Madrid redefined team work and character last night in their comeback victory over Malaga.
Jose Mourinho picked up a strong starting XI as Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain led the forward line with the assistance of Kaka and Callejon.
Lass and Xabi Alonso combined in the defensive midfield area as Real Madrid’s back four missed the services of Sergio Ramos. For Malaga, former Merengues Ruud van Nistelrooy started.
The first goal in 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu went the visitors’ way. Sergio Sanchez was too strong to beat in the air and his header from a corner ended up crossing the line.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Callejon tried to respond with efforts of their own, but the score line remained 1-0 until Martin Demichelis doubled the advantage for Malaga. Shockingly, Iker Casillas conceded his second header of the night as Pellegrini’s new-look men were in for an upset.
At the hour mark, it really looked like defeat would be Real Madrid’s. Los Blancos, however, had other ideas. In dramatic fashion, they turned the tables around to make their opening of the year 2012 a memorable one.
In fact, Jose Mourinho’s triple substitution at the start of the second half certainly paid off. The Portuguese manager sent in Sami Khedira, Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil in replacement of Arbeloa, Kaka and Callejon respectively.
German international Khedira thought he had scored in the 57th minute but the referee rightfully disallowed the goal for offside. Still, Real Madrid kept pushing forward through the energy of Benzema, Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, Sami Khedira got his name on the scoring sheet after marvelously controlling the ball in the buildup.
At 2-1, there was hope for Real Madrid. In a blink of an eye, Los Blancos went leveled. Gonzalo Higuain’s shot from a tight angle played the trick inside the 70th minute.
French striker Karim Benzema sealed the comeback 12 minutes from normal time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 advantage ahead of the second leg of this tie.
Lass and Xabi Alonso combined in the defensive midfield area as Real Madrid’s back four missed the services of Sergio Ramos. For Malaga, former Merengues Ruud van Nistelrooy started.
The first goal in 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu went the visitors’ way. Sergio Sanchez was too strong to beat in the air and his header from a corner ended up crossing the line.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Callejon tried to respond with efforts of their own, but the score line remained 1-0 until Martin Demichelis doubled the advantage for Malaga. Shockingly, Iker Casillas conceded his second header of the night as Pellegrini’s new-look men were in for an upset.
At the hour mark, it really looked like defeat would be Real Madrid’s. Los Blancos, however, had other ideas. In dramatic fashion, they turned the tables around to make their opening of the year 2012 a memorable one.
In fact, Jose Mourinho’s triple substitution at the start of the second half certainly paid off. The Portuguese manager sent in Sami Khedira, Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil in replacement of Arbeloa, Kaka and Callejon respectively.
German international Khedira thought he had scored in the 57th minute but the referee rightfully disallowed the goal for offside. Still, Real Madrid kept pushing forward through the energy of Benzema, Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, Sami Khedira got his name on the scoring sheet after marvelously controlling the ball in the buildup.
At 2-1, there was hope for Real Madrid. In a blink of an eye, Los Blancos went leveled. Gonzalo Higuain’s shot from a tight angle played the trick inside the 70th minute.
French striker Karim Benzema sealed the comeback 12 minutes from normal time to give Real Madrid a 3-2 advantage ahead of the second leg of this tie.
