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Real Madrid CF
Posted by Michael Hudson on 04/19/2010

Despite dropping six points at the hands of holder’s Barcelona this season, Real Madrid’s title chances remain alive after a stalemate in the Catalan derby allowed Los Blancos to move within one point of the leaders.

With five games remaining in the 2009-2010 season, trophy hopes for Madrid have been rejuvenated after last week's loss to Barcelona had seemingly knocked the capital side club out of contention. Work is still left to be done with Pellegrini’s men needing to make up two points over Barca; however, Real’s resurgence in the league after Barcelona’s draw will certainly have Pep Guardiola’s feeling the pressure.

Looking at the remaining five fixtures for the two top clubs, though, still sees the advantage in Barcelona’s favour. The Catalans will play three of the five at home while the Madrileños have two remaining at the Bernabeu. Barcelona, an experienced, veteran team, control their own destiny while Madrid needs to win out and hope Barcelona are held to at least one draw. The crucial fixtures that remain for both clubs will be played on the road, which, in the end, may end up deciding the fate of the league. Barcelona will play both of their road matches against solid competition with trips to Villarreal and Sevilla while Real’s only tough remaining fixture is at fifth place Mallorca. Regardless of who the opponent, with only a few games remaining both teams can ill afford a mistake.

Sunday night an extraordinarily inconsistent Valencia came to the Bernabeu with the home side knowing the league was within sights once again. Valencia continue their last season trend of poor performances that saw them slip out of a Champions League spot the year before. A lacklustre defensive showing allowed Real Madrid’s attack to reappear creating a plethora of opportunities with Valencia keeper Cesar forced to be at his best to keep his side in the game. Los Blancos controlled the pace of the game, outdoing the visitors with possession as well as attempts on net; however, Casillas was called upon a few times to maintain Madrid’s one goal advantage. Cristiano Ronaldo would double the lead and put the game out of reach twelve minutes from time as Pellegrini’s men climbed back into the title race.



Ronaldo celebrates doubling Madrid’s advantage
©GettyImages

The question remains if there is enough time for Real Madrid to pick up the necessary two points to bring a trophy to the Bernabeu and save Manuel Pellegrini’s job (the Madrid papers have all but seen him out the door, save a miracle that sees the league title return to the capital). It would only take one mistake to see Madrid to the top; however, Madrid also must play flawless football over the final five matches. All Real Madrid can do is hope while continuing to maintain top form but their league aspirations still remain in the hands of an experienced Barcelona club.


Comments
Posted by D. Garway on 04/20/2010

I admire the style of play of the King's boys. They need to keep the pressure until the end because I am sure that Barcelona FC may slip with the remaining 5 games.

On the issue of buying players, it's time for Real Madrid to buy players like David Villa and/or David Silva. These players are equally qualified and very potent and prolific for a great Madrid Team.

Posted by Habiby on 04/21/2010

Real Madrid are doing a great job so far,the league title is still wide open for them till the last game of the season so am sure we'll see them fight to the bone.On matters concerning buying of new players,i believe madrid just need to look for a natural devastatingly fast nd hardworking skillful left-footed winger,someone in comparison to robben,vicente,reyes and others like them,but a winger whose not injury prone and one who will play with his heart not for the cameras and the fame alone,someone young and unknown to the world at large.Players like higuain and marcelo amongst the unknowns that madrid bought have shown to be there best signings soo far these couple of past season.Keep up the good work Madrid and dnt loose hope and belief.Hala Real Madrid!

Posted by Adi on 04/22/2010

Here is an interesting fact: the present Real Madrid side is set to score more points than any other RM squad in the last decade. The only problem is that it coincided with Barca's best season.

I sincerely hope the Madrid management take a note of this. Pellegrini has been a success in my eye and I hope he gets a chance to build on the solid performance this year.

Posted by o'bedlam on 04/22/2010

i don't understand the mind that is florentino perez. how is sacking pellegrini going to do any good for the club. is it really pellegrini's fault that he came in to real madrid, when it clearly was a "rebuilding" year, a year that coincided with barcelona's dominance in spain as well as europe. madrid has achieved so much, in relation to points this season, points that are easily enough to win any league. i say keep pellegrini, the man needs another year to build this squad.

Posted by Michael on 04/23/2010

I don't get why RM has to buy new players or replace their coach. I mean that this season saw a large amount of new signings. They need time to bond together and play as a team, not to change because it is not working.

You can't expect that a team just being built this year to win everything

Posted by julian on 04/27/2010

Well I think that Real Madrid should focuse more on all the players that they have now, and think about the subs that sometimes never get to play. The subs should get more opportunities to play on the field, and Real should stop looking for new players now and focus more on what they got and how they can sharp their people by calling every single player on the team (including Subs) to look for a way to work together and make this awesome Real Madrid the best of them all.

Posted by nickron on 05/04/2010

As a huge RM fan i don't think that a coaching change is necessary right now. as much as jose is my favorite coach in the world. i think pelligrini is doing a fantastic job for us. we just need 2 points to give more assurance an bw more patient with him. hala madrid and ronaldo.

Posted by femi on 05/04/2010

Without doubt, this is indeed a great team.The entire team has done marvelously well.Gathering huge points like this in one season is unprecedented, the team should be left alone to jell for another season, changing the composition of a team every season shows un-seriousness on the part of the Madrid management.I wish Madrid learn from all their misfortunes all these while without a champion league trophy since 2002. Barcelona is what it is now because of continuity,i am confident Madrid can achieve more by keeping this present team with their coach.Mourinho is not the answer to Madrid faults.Pellegrini can do it with time and sense of security of his job.With one two dependable defenders added to the team the sky will be the team's limit.Moreso, the Madrid press are killing the team indirectly, they should leave them alone to mold instead of criticizing them. Madrid can still win the league with adequate concentration and Barca slipping up.

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