Real Madrid played, without a doubt, their best football to date during the first half of yesterday’s Champions League tie at the San Siro. This was the Madrid that most of us expected to see after their summer of spending; however, the team that took the pitch in the second half was more of what we have been getting from Los Blancos. Playing with a sense of urgency, Madrid dominated the first forty-five minutes, creating multiple opportunities while applying constant pressure on the home side. A victory over the weekend against Getafe plus a crucial point at AC Milan have given the Madrid faithful something positive to think about after last week’s debacle at third division side Alcorcon. The aptitude shown at the beginning of the match demonstrated the talent and capabilities this team possesses. If Pellegrini’s men can find a way to harness the former and avoid the latter form of yesterday’s match than trophies may be in this team’s future.

The chosen lineup chosen by the Chilean manager contributed greatly to Real’s superior form. Gonzalo Higuain, whose double on Saturday earned Los Blancos three points against Getafe, was accompanied at the top with Karim Benzema, the French International finally showing why he was coveted by Madrid this past summer. Higuain, Real Madrid’s leading scorer last season, has spent far too much time on the bench with veteran players seeming to be on the pitch for no other reason than seniority. Pellegrini’s management last night, however, demonstrated how the role of strikers should be distributed with the aforementioned starting and the options of Raul or Ruud off the bench. Both veteran strikers are still very capable of scoring important goals for Madrid but their fitness does not suffice for that of a starter.

The midfield was superb, especially throughout the first half, last night. Kaka’s creative playmaking fashioned the rebound that Benzema capably finished to give the Spanish side the lead. The Brazilian international was constantly making dangerous runs before halftime, but, much like the rest of his team, came out of the dressing room inert and sluggish. The defense was better but is still a point of concern. Milan earned their goal via penalty after the arm of Pepe redirected a cross; however, the home side was denied, what appeared to be, a legitimate goal from Pato minutes after the equalizer. Conversely, Sergio Ramos played his best game of the season, playing well on both ends of the pitch including a few dangerous attempts at goal. The world knows Madrid’s Achilles’ heal is their back line, but an improved performance has generated optimism throughout the Spanish capital. The highly anticipated Classico is less than a month away; time will tell if the defense of Madrid can continue to improve.

Papers throughout Madrid considered last nights match a victory for the Spanish side. The point keeps Madrid atop the group on goal differential, controlling their own destiny until the end of the group stage. True as this may be, I still believe that Madrid let two points slip away, especially considering how well Real played through the first forty-five minutes. The first leg of the Madrid derby is this weekend at the Vicente Calderon, another test for Los Blancos. Atletico may be struggling in La Liga but the team is, nonetheless, composed of quality players. El Kun and Forlan are two very clever strikers who will surely test Madrid’s questionable defense while the emotions of a derby should bring out the quality of a grossly underachieving team. Real is still winless in any of their ‘significant’ matches, a pattern that must change before Los Blancos visit Camp Nou at the end of the month.