Madrid continued their rebound from the El Clasico drubbing a fortnight ago with another convincing league win at struggling Zaragoza. The Aragon based club may not be the most stringent of competition but wins against a stubborn Valencia side and the conclusion of their Group Stage campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Auxerre have restored some life into the Beranbeu. Two points behind their Catalan rivals, Madrid and Barcelona are beginning to pull away from the pack as the La Liga looks to, yet again, become a two horse race.

Awaiting their European fate on Friday, Madrid have to be confident in seeing out the domestic title race to its end with the revitalized play of some of their out-of-favour substitutes. Karim Benzema’s treble lead the way during their midweek Champions League fixture with the maligned France international pestering the Zaragoza defence Sunday night. Though the Frenchman did not put his name on the score sheet, his presence was felt through runs like the one that drew both centre backs away from the ball, allowing Marcelo the space to play a brilliant ball onto a streaking Mesut Ozil, the Germany star giving the visitors an early lead that they would not relinquish.

Current form aside, it still is of vital importance that Madrid find some help at the top in the January transfer window. Gonzalo Higuain’s injury problems (he has a knack for scoring but is not the menacing threat at the front that clubs such as Barcelona or Chelsea posses) coupled with Benzema’s unpredictability is not a combination a team, with their sights set on Europe, need as their striking options. Carlos Tevez’s constant City quit announcements have gossip spreading throughout Cafes in the capital, though; it is rumoured that if the Argentina international leaves England, it will be for home (though Spain and Italy have come up in conversation as well). Real Madrid are a great team, however, it is a player like Tevez up top that would make them an exceptional team.

Ronaldo's has been on another level this year ©GettyImages

As the January window quickly approaches, the question that remains is whether or not Jose Mourinho will make any moves to bolster the side. There is no question they have the talent to win the league, but Madrid did not hire Mourinho to only win domestically. The Champions League is the end goal, and Los Blancos may still be missing a piece or two of the puzzle if they hope to raise the trophy at Wembley come May. Madrid’s defence has improved leaps and bounds since a year ago; nevertheless, Marcelo is not the strongest defender and Carvalho’s injury history is of worry as the season wares on. A strong centre back could do wonders while true defending help on the wings wouldn’t hurt either (both Marcelo and Ramos are fantastic going forward but their defensive skills raise questions at times). Ultimately, it will come down to what Mourinho has up his sleeves. Madrid have the talent and depth to make a run at a European title but winning it is another matter. Humbled in Catalonia a fortnight ago, Madrid have quickly recovered and are back to playing superb football, but is it the best football in Europe?

The form of Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo also deserves mention. Ronaldo’s brace was the difference against a young Valencia side with the Portugal star scoring midweek and from a brilliantly taken free kick, doubling the visitors lead before half, at Zaragoza. His attitude has been attacked (and rightfully so at points), leadership and sportsmanship questioned; however, it will be Ronaldo who leads Madrid to either glory or disappointment come May. Say what you want about the man, but he is a world-class footballer, and it has been his form this year that has Madrid with only one defeat through mid-December. Real Madrid are not a one man team by any stretch (watch Madrid’s third from Sunday, Xabi Alonso plays an inventive ball through to connect with a perfectly timed Angel di Maria run), but Cristiano is the x-factor. It will be interesting to see if he can either: a) maintain his absurd form throughout the year or b) if no, how will Madrid react and compensate for a slump (hoping of course that the disaster in Barcelona is not an example of what happens when CR9 struggles)?

Friday’s Champions League draw could produce some interesting match-ups for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. A potential reunion with the Portuguese coach and the side he lead to European glory only seven months ago or current Premier League leaders Arsenal make up a third of Los Blancos’ potential Round-of-16 competition (the others being: Marseille, Roma, FC Copenhagen, and Lyon, who knocked out Madrid at this stage last year). With only next week’s fixture against plummeting Sevilla remaining in 2010, focus will quickly turn to what lies ahead both domestically and in Europe.

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