Parlaying his birthday celebrations into another stellar night on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo commemorated his 26th with another brace at the Bernabeu. After an inconceivable four game stretch without his name on the score sheet, the Madeiran-born star was the protagonist yet again as Los Blancos maintained their pace behind leaders Barcelona. Seven points adrift of the top, Jose Mourinho’s side are facing an increasingly steep uphill battle against a seemingly invincible side that hasn’t dropped points in the league since October. The same indomitable Catalunian club that Madrid will face in the Copa del Rey final in only a few months time. With Champions League football restarting in a fortnight, it should certainly be an interesting final few months in the Spanish capital (and let’s not forget about the Jose Mourinho created drama, which only adds to the intrigue of Los Merengues' season).

For as storied a rivalry (and for as much as these two clubs have dominated domestic Spanish football in the last century), Real Madrid and Barcelona have only met five times in a Copa del Rey final. Barcelona hold the advantage with three victories versus Madrid’s two, including winners of the last meeting, which was a 2-0 azulgrana victory in 1990. Madrid’s calculated seeing off of Sevilla in the semi-finals second leg ensured there would be another instalment of El Clasico this campaign. Emmanuel Adebayor sealed the victory with his injury time goal, capping his Madrid home debut in fine fashion. The Togolese striker would again add the exclamation point to the victory at the weekend, netting Madrid’s fourth in the waning minutes against Real Sociedad.

Ronaldo bagged a birthday brace, putting Madrid back on track in the league ©Getty Images

Madrid rediscovered their goal scoring touch against the visiting Basque outfit after a brief run of low scoring matches. Not coincidentally, when Ronaldo is on the mark, Los Blancos score in bunches. Adebayor’s consistent start to his Madrid career must have Mourinho and staff pleased with striking options; however, it is little secret that Ronaldo is the driving force behind the Madrid attack. Mesut Ozil is quietly having a phenomenal season, the architect to many of the Portugal star’s goals, the German international has continued his fine form from the World Cup throughout the campaign.

A trip to Catalunia at the weekend could prove to be a tough match against a quality Espanyol side. Mathematically still alive in the league, catching a Barcelona side seven points ahead is going to require error free football for the remainder of the season. The holders have been methodical since their 2-0 upset at the hands of Hercules; nevertheless, the onset of European play once again may distract Pep Guardiola’s side just enough to allow Real Madrid back into the race. On that same note, Madrid face a tough test against the French club that eliminated them from Europe a year ago. Lyon will certainly come into the tie confident after their semi-finals run, eventually failing at the hands of Bayern Munich. Mourinho lead Inter to the treble a season ago, and while repeating that feat at Madrid will be just short of a miracle (this year), if there is a manager who knows how to leverage a deep roster in multiple competitions, it is ‘The Special One.’ Oh, and it cannot hurt Madrid’s chances that Kaka has seemingly rediscovered his form. The Brazil international's talent cannot be denied; however, fitness is another question. Silencing doubters, even if only momentarily, with a fine hour of play, the return of Kaka may just be that piece Madrid are missing.

Tweet



Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter and Facebook