Real Madrid’s domination of cross-town rivals Atletico de Madrid continued Sunday night with a 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu. Parlaying the momentum from Wednesday’s eleventh hour draw at the San Siro, Real Madrid maintained their unblemished record and place atop the La Liga standings with another dominant performance. A lot had been made about Real’s ascendancy of the Rojiblancos over the last decade, but some speculated Quique Sanchez Flores’ side might have a renewed sense of confidence after last year’s Europa Cup victory. Madrid quelled any speculation of an Atletico upset; taking advantage of the visitor’s maligned back line early while suffocating the visitor’s potent attack.

The low points of Madrid’s season thus far have only been nil-nil draws. Not a bad place to be as Jose Mourinho has seen his side win eleven of fifteen matches, vaulting Los Blancos to the top of the La Liga table and their Champions League group. Mid-week, Mourinho seemed destined for his first defeat at the helm of the Spanish giants in his return to the San Siro; however, a 94th minute strike from Pedro Leon earned Real Madrid a very deserved point (to be frank, Inzaghi’s brace stole points from Madrid, who dominated the play and opportunities in Northern Italy). The young Spaniard’s equalizer booked the Spanish club’s ticket into the Round-of-16 yet again, though, Madrid’s early season form makes it hard to fathom the notion of a seventh straight exit in the first elimination round.

Atletico had been the toast of the Spanish capital the last few months. Sure, Madrid’s ostentatious signings and the whole national team winning the World Cup made some headlines, but it was the team that plays next to the mighty Manzanares who had brought home the most recent silverware. Continuing the theme of mediocre league play, the Rojiblancos were fresh off an impressive road victory in Norway and looking to break a seventeen match winless streak. Though Flores’ squad has seemingly improved their dismal defensive record from a season ago, Real’s high octane attack would force mistakes, on which they capitalized, from a defence that was simply outmatched. Carvahlo set the tone on thirteen minutes, and Mesut Ozil would double the home side’s advantage six minutes later with a brilliantly taken set piece, beating De Gea and making the young Spanish keeper, who has been brilliant since taking the reigns last year, look foolish.

Carvalho's 13th minute strike would be the eventual game winner©GettyImages

Wednesday night, Murcia will make their way to the Bernabeu in an attempt to knock Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in the 4th round for the third year in a row. Murcia, who play in the third division, would be the third different team from that level in three years to shock Los Blancos if they pull off the unexpected. After a stubbornly holding the Spanish giants to a nil-nil draw in the first leg, do not expect Mourinho or Madrid to take the visitors lightly. Whether it be the Portuguese manager’s preferred eleven or a mixture of second team players, Los Blancos will pounce on Murcia out of the gates. It will not be close; the ‘Special One’ will make sure of it.

A little more than a quarter of the way through the 2010-2011 campaign, it looks to be a promising year at the Bernabeu. Madrid’s form coupled with Barcelona’s quiet consistency will make for an interesting clash come the end of the month when Madrid visits the Camp Nou for the always intense first leg of the Clasico. Cristiano Ronaldo has been phenomenal all season, his La Liga leading eleven goals certainly a catalyst to Madrid’s excellent form. The in-form Portugal star has been has been supported by tremendous play from newcomers on the wings, Ozil and di Maria, whose stellar form in the middle of the pitch has offset some of the struggles Madrid strikers have been having this season. The most interesting match-up when Los Blancos travel to Catalunya will certainly be the revitalized Madrid defence against one of, if not the, best players in the world. The winner won’t decide the fate of league, but Madrid will look to break a two year drought and parlay the momentum into the new year.