August of 2010 was the start of the Jose Mourinho era at Real Madrid with the arrival of ‘The Special One” bringing as much fanfare and controversy as was to be expected. It also brought a trophy, albeit the least desirable of the three competitions in which Madrid competed. One of the biggest questions moving towards the summer will be if Mourinho will continue for another season or will the Portuguese manager, either on his own accord or via sacking, seek employment elsewhere? Looking back at the 2010-2011 campaign it certainly has been one of intrigue with many positive notes but in the end Madrid have been left to look up to the current kings of Spain, FC Barcelona.

After taking care of Spurs in the return leg of their quarterfinals Champions League tie, setting a semifinal date with Barcelona, Los Blancos hosted the Catalan side Saturday night at the Bernabeu. Entering the 32nd week (of 38) of play eight points adrift from their northern rivals, the league was undoubtedly a long shot; however, when Sami Khedria’s 89th minute game winning attempt was hit right at Victor Valdes and Barcelona earned a share of the spoils, Madrid’s faintly flickering title hopes were blown out. Jose Mourinho had already made his and his side’s intentions clear a fortnight earlier, fielding a weak side in a league fixture (at a point where three points were vital every week) in favor of resting some key play makers in preparation of their first leg with Tottenham. With league hopes diminished, Madrid are still, nonetheless, in position for what could be a very memorable finish to the 2010-2011 campaign.

Sporting Gijon gave Real Madrid new life, stealing points from Barca, only to have Deportivo and their anti-football tactics take it away from the capital side a fortnight later. The dour draw, coupled with a Barcelona win, sent the holder’s seven points clear at the top yet again; however, since the disappointing result in Galicia, Karim Benzema and Madrid have seemingly rediscovered their potent goal scoring form. A seven goal route was Madrid’s response to Manuel Pelligrini’s return to the Bernabeu with the often maligned French striker’s double (in compliment to Ronaldo’s hat-trick) setting the table for an embarrassing return for the Chilean manager, who only a year early was at the helm for a record year at the Beranbeu. Unfortunately, Barcelona also set records, at just a better pace to win the league, leaving Los Blancos trophy-less. Sunday, the Frenchman’s double again powered Jose Mourinho’s side, earning the visitors a very crucial three points, faintly maintaining hope of a league title with Barcelona winning the day before.

Ninety seconds into Sunday night’s fixture at Cornellá - El Prat, it seemed Madrid were destined to not take advantage of Barcelona’s draw from a day before. Iker Casillas was unjustifiably sent off on two minutes after a slight collision at the edge of the area. Warranted or not, the Spanish number one was shown a straight red, and Los Blancos were ordained to play a hostile away fixture with only ten men. Jose Mourinho improvised, sending on the Madrid number two in place of Argentina winger Angel di Maria, and his side responded resoundingly. Considering the circumstances, it was one of the best displays of football from Los Blancos this campaign. Through Marcelo, Madrid took an early lead on twenty-four minutes and, despite the numerical disadvantage, never looked back. Monday morning, the papers throughout the capital proclaimed that Madrid had reasserted their claim for the domestic title. Is that fair to say? Football is a game of momentum as is the favour of the pundits and it usually only takes a match or two to drastically sway opinions. Gaining two points may not seem like an achievement worthy of too many accolades; however, every point in the title race (as trite as it may be to say) will matter come May.

Insurmountable? Not a word used after only 21 matches in a 38-fixture campaign; however, Madrid’s stumble in Pamplona on Sunday may warrant the use of such drastic verbiage. Seven points is, by no means, the end of the road in most title chases, but most teams do not have to hope a squad of Barcelona’s quality slips up. Yes, the same Barcelona that has won 15 straight league matches, having not dropped points since October 3. The discourse from Mourinho and players was certainly that of a defeated mindset, acknowledging that the fight to catch Barcelona will be an incredibly steep precipice to traverse, even with 17 league matches remaining.

Despite a tough Champions League group draw, Madrid have faced little adversity so far this campaign. Pedro Leon stole a late equalizer at the San Siro; however, Los Blancos had positioned themselves far atop their group. Facing a hostile Barcelona crowd, Madrid crumbled. Mourinho’s side rebounded and has come away with all three points in every match since, save the second leg of a Copa del Rey tie where the capital club played a youth squad to protect a 8-0 aggregate lead. On Sunday night Los Blancos overcame hardship, coming from behind on two occasions before eventually upending a revitalized Villarreal team.

Madrid will head into the New Year only two points behind leaders Barcelona after the capital side picked up a scrappy win over a stubborn Sevilla at the weekend. The visitors, perennial at the top of the table, have been having a year to forget after crashing out of the Champions League in August and squeaking through Europa League group phase. Combined with a steady decline in league play, the Andalusians were looking to right the ship at the Bernabeu Sunday afternoon in the last fixture of 2010.

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.

Embarrassing? Humiliating? Demoralizing? It is tough to find an appropriate word to describe the ‘insert statement of choice here’ that occurred at the Camp Nou on Monday night, but the result was rarely in question.

Barcelona were the superior side, earning the 5-0 drubbing that was handed down to the visiting Madrileños. In a night that was all Azulgrana, the positive takeaways for the visiting side were few and far between.

Not only did were Madrid outshone by a brilliant display of football, but they were completely outclassed as well. Pleasantries were not to be expected but the frustration displayed in the eight cards shown (seven yellow, one red) to the visitors is a testament to the aggravation caused by Barcelona’s superior ball control and overall domination.

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.

On the eve of yet another international break, Madrid sent a message throughout Spain: we can finish, and, when we do, the results will be devastating to opponents. Los Blancos’ bagged six Sunday night, albeit against a struggling Deportivo side, finally leveraging their dominant possession into a definitive score-line. An adjustment period to a new manager was expected, and is by no means over; however, it was not the tactics that Madrid seemed to be struggling with but finding the back of the net. Stat-lines would have one wondering how a team could be so in control, have so many attempts on net but then draw or barely beat newly promoted squads. Mourinho’s star-studded squad will enter the fortnight of international play with a renewed sense of confidence, which, if parlayed into their return to the domestic pitch, could have the capital side giants poised to be on of the most dangerous teams in Europe.

“Not scoring goals have cost us four points,” lamented Jose Mourinho after Saturday’s uninspiring goalless draw at newly promoted Levante. Two matches removed from their Champions League debut, Madrid has shown resiliency in earning results while not in their best form; but the question at hand remains, when will Madrid reach a championship-level quality? A midweek Champions League tie amidst a La Liga season beginning to take form, Madrid need to find an answer sooner than later, before the 2010-2011 season is too far gone.

Unsettling as the last two games have been, Madrid have taken all six points and now a total of ten form the the first four matches. Jose Mourinho was quick to express his distaste with his team’s form, though, lamenting their ability to produce results when not at their best.

Highlighting the anti-football played by Espanyol on Tuesday night, Mourinho noted they were still able overcome their stubborn Catalan visitors. Saturday night in San Sebastian was a different story. It may have been a combination of a Champions League hangover or underestimating their newly promoted opponents, but Madrid were lucky to escape with a victory. Fans and pundits alike would agree that Real Sociedad deserved at least a share of the points.

There is a trite expression that says those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat it. Hopefully, for Madrid fans, history will repeat itself this campaign.

Saturday saw Jose Mourinho record his first victory at the club since taking the reigns as manager while Los Blancos’ rivals to the North were shockingly upset by newly promoted Hercules Alicante. The Valencian club has spent the majority of their professional existence floating between the Segunda and Tercera divisions; however, after a 12 year run in the top flight saw Los Blanquiazules back down to the Segunda, the side made a brief one year return in 1996/97. Notably beating FC Barcelona twice as Real Madrid were crowned the Champions of Spain.

While it is incredibly early to begin title speculation, supporters in the Spanish capital will hope the results from the past weekend will serve as an positive omen.

The 2010-2011 campaign got off to a very tumultuous start for Madrid on Sunday night in Mallorca. Mourinho quickly hailed the team's defensive structure, which, in fairness, looks to be the most improved unit on the pitch, but he was quick to rue the opportunities squandered through poor finishing.

It is the beginning of a long season, and Mourinho emphasized the fact that his squad is still developing; however, Madrid faithful know that time is off the essence as slipping too far behind holders Barcelona could prove fateful. Two-time defending champions, the Catalunian club lost only one match last season. Madrid's La Liga fate will not be decided in the coming weeks, but the theme of campaign must be earning results while still coming together as a team.

Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Valladolid Sunday night may have meant that Real Madrid’s result at Malaga would not matter in the league race; however, it is tough to swallow a 1-1 draw at the hands of a club fighting for survival when the visitors knew they need all three points.

If you cannot find a way to win that match, it is tough to empathize with Madrid’s trophy-less season. Barcelona retain the league title while the shelves at the Bernabeu must wait another year for more hardware. It is not fair to say that the final fixture of the 2009-2010 campaign epitomized the entirety of Madrid’s season; nonetheless, similar disappointment has been constant for a team with such high expectations.

Seventy minutes into the penultimate day of the 2009-2010 La Liga season, it seemed as if a flat Madrid were going to concede their title campaign on home soil. A forty-first minute equalizer from Francisco Javier Yeste had Athletic Bilbao on terms at the Bernabeu while Barcelona was cruising at the Sanchez Pizjuan. An onslaught of Madrid goals and two quick strikes from a ten-man Sevilla had the Madrid faithful dreaming once again of league glory; nonetheless, Barcelona were able to hold off the strong willed Andalucians, maintaining their league advantage into the final week of the campaign. A Madrid draw Saturday night would have meant the league trophy once again belonged to the Catalan side but the capital club’s victory maintained Los Blancos faint hope of hardware this season.

The in-form Portuguese international has taken Real Madrid on his back in the past week as the club from the capital look to purloin the league title from Barcelona. Needing to surmount the one point deficit they face in the final two league games, Madrid has had no room for error the past couple matches. Hosting Osasuna at the weekend it appeared that Madrid would cruise into their mid-week fixture at fourth place Mallorca; however, Ronaldo’s heroics were needed as Pellegrini’s side fell behind the islanders not once but twice. With their title hopes all but exhausted, Ronaldo’s header earned Los Blancos the three points required to remain in the hunt one minute from time. The Portuguese’s services were required Wednesday night again, though not quite in such dramatic fashion, to secure a compulsory result and put the pressure back on the Catalan leaders.

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.

Barcelona completed the double over Real Madrid after winning the second leg of the highly anticipated El Clasico on Saturday night. Barcelona, who trounced English side Arsenal in mid-week via four goals from Leo Messi, showed again why they are considered the best in the world this weekend at the Bernabeu.

The win epitomized the 09-10 La Liga season in many ways with lapses in Madrid’s defensive form allowing Barcelona their chances, possession domination from the Catalans and the inability to finish from Madrid’s high-powered attack. Seven games remain in the campaign but falling three points behind and needing four to overtake the '08-'09 Champions this late in the year may prove to be too much for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Trailing Madrid rivals at half-time, Real were in danger of not only facing defeat in the capital derby for the first time since 1999, but falling behind Barcelona, who had secured a vital three away points at Mallorca earlier in the weekend.

Traditionally quick off the mark against Los Rojiblancos over the past few years, it was the visitors who would score thanks to sloppy Real defensive play. The home side quickly turned away doubt at the Santiago Bernabeu and after a quick-fire start to the second half Pellegrini’s men erased the one goal deficit, scoring three times in thirteen minutes.

The victory maintains Real Madrid’s place at the top of the league albeit on goal differentce, with Barcelona’s visit to the Spanish capital looming less than a fortnight away.

Top of the table. Thirteen games still remain in this stirring 2009-2010 campaign but for now, Madrid control their own destiny.

A few weeks ago I wondered if Barcelona’s form would ever falter to even afford Los Blancos the opportunity to close the gap; however, that was before a string of injuries depleted the Catalan club’s strength. A subsequent drop in form has lead to some surprising upsets, and Barcelona have now relinquished their five-point lead of La Liga to the capital side club.

The last time Real Madrid won La Liga Villarreal finished as runners-up to the capital city club. Despite a disappointing fifth place finish the following year, the Yellow Submarine were impressive during a Champions League run that saw the Valencian side into the quarter-finals of the European tournament.

This season the frustration continues at El Madrigal, tenth in the table, while former coach Manuel Pellegrini is leading Los Blancos towards reclaiming the league title from holders Barcelona. With the aforementioned Catalan club responding to their first league defeat resoundingly, a 4-0 dismantling of Racing Santander, the focus of Spanish football fans was centered on the Bernabeu on Sunday to see if Madrid could keep pace.

Pellegrini’s side kept pace with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona after a comfortable victory on Saturday night over Espanyol. The 3-0 win maintained Real’s place in the table five points behind holders Barcelona, who beat Getafe.

Preserving their perfect home record, the question looming is not whether or not Madrid have the quality to surpass Barcelona but will Barcelona, who have yet to lose in the league, give the capital club the opportunity to gain ground on the Catalans.

Almost two decades after their last victory at el Estadio Riazor in La Coruña, Real Madrid won convincingly Saturday night against Deportivo. Unsuccessful in their last six trips to the Galician grounds, the capital side earned their first victory in the stadium since the 1991-1992 season. What really impressed was not only the decisive away result but the manner in which Los Blancos dominated the game. Possession and precision passing were crucial in Madrid's victory but it was the bold back-heel assist from Guti that stole the show, setting up Karim Benzema to double the visitor's advantage at the end of the first half. As comparisons to Barcelona have been made throughout the year, many critics have been quick to point to Barcelona's team game as why the Catalan club is still the best in Spain; however, the way in which Real commanded the pace of play Saturday night has many wondering if this team is finally coming together.

Real Madrid now find themselves trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by five points after a 1-0 defeat in Bilbao on Saturday night, a deficit Madrid defender Raul Albiol has voiced his concern over. Telling Marca, after the visitor’s surprise defeat that, even with a little more than half the season remaining, to fall five points behind leaders Barcelona needs to instill a sense of urgency in Real.

Madrid’s defeat, Barcelona’s thrashing of Sevilla and the subsequent gap in the standings all coming days after Barcelona defender Pique stated that Real Madrid are still not a complete enough team to win trophies this season. Highlighting Real’s limited experience with one another versus Barcelona’s veteran presence, one cannot help to wonder the validity of the Spaniard's statement.

Real Madrid kept pace with leaders Barcelona after an exciting, albeit costly, win at Valencia Saturday night. Missing two stars in the middle of the pitch, Los Blancos were able to rebound from two Valencia equalizers to earn three points from Los Che; however, center-back and arguably the only consistent member of Real’s often maligned defensive line, Pepe, was carried off before the half with an injury that will most likely have the Portuguese international sidelined for the rest of the season. Until Pepe’s diagnosis it was unclear if Real would enter the transfer market to try and improve upon their erratic defensive play but now, there is no doubt. Madrid will be purchasing someone to fill the void left Saturday night; the only question that remains is who that player will be.

Making his first start back at the Bernabeu since his return from injury, Cristiano Ronaldo certainly left an impression on the home side crowd. An assist, a penalty miss, a goal, and a pair of yellows had the Portuguese international as the main topic of conversation throughout the Spanish capital Sunday after the host’s come from behind triumph. The 4-2 victory over visiting Almeria leaves Real Madrid five points behind FC Barcelona with a game in hand; however, save a five-minute laps in the second half, Real played what was, in my opinion, one of their most complete games of the year.

Real Madrid came into the Camp Nou as leaders of La Liga, armed with their new galacticos the Spanish giants were off to their best league start in seventeen years; however, Barcelona successfully defended their home turf, reinforcing the fact that the Catalan side is still the best in Spain as they continue their quest to defend the triple this season.

The match, after being billed as the most important Clasico in some years, ended up being quite anticlimactic though Barcelona will gladly take their three points and place at the top of the table.

With less than 72 hours until El Clasico, it would be safe to say that Wednesday night’s match, albeit important, was an afterthought throughout the city. Cristiano Ronaldo did make his return to the pitch after a ten game, fifty-five day absence while Real is merely a draw away, in a fortnight in Marseilles, from advancing with the top spot in their Champions League group; however, Sunday night’s result will have a much greater bearing on the future of Real’s season.

Real Madrid will enter the Nou Camp next weekend as the leaders of La Liga after a 1-0 victory Saturday, coupled with a Barcelona draw, leaves Los Blancos alone at the top of the table, on twenty-eight points through eleven matches. Madrid’s fine form early in the match was overshadowed by their lack of ability to finish and overall pedestrian showing against a club who will be fighting to remain in the league come May. Regardless, when Pellegrini’s men take the pitch for the highly anticipated Clasico in a week, they will do so as leaders of La Liga.

Iker Casillas, Spain’s number one, was donned, again, San Iker after his brilliant play in net again preserved a lead for Real and prevented Los Blancos from collapsing after a start that saw the visitors up three goals twenty-five minutes from time. When the final whistle blew, Real Madrid had once again defeated Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon; however, three points aside, Madrid has still yet to show they can control a game start to finish. With their first ‘meaningful’ victory, despite Atleti’s record they are a club of great quality, Madrid has continued to show great improvement over the last couple matches; however, Real’s inability to play ninety solid minutes could, in the end, be their downfall.

After a fortnight of internationals, there were a lot of questions to be answered at the Bernabeu this weekend as the Spanish league resumed.

Crisitano Ronaldo sat out Madrid's first defeat of the season on the eve of the break but with two crucial qualifiers for Portugal, the Madrid star attempted to play for his nation. Exiting the pitch after only thirty minutes in the first match against Hungary, some estimates have the Ballon d'Or winner sidelined for up to a month with his ankle injury.

Critics were quick to chide the judgment of both Ronaldo and Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz while fans and journalists wondered aloud how Real Madrid would react to the loss of possibly the world's best player.

Coming into Sunday night's clash with Sevilla there had been many questions about the strength of the Real Madrid back line; however, doubts aside, the boys in white had not conceded a league goal in over 400 minutes. After a commendable midweek performance in the Champions League, the Real Madrid defense was dismal and lackadaisical at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday night, conceding two easy goals and three points to the home side.

Sevilla executed their game with great precision, spreading the ball wide and crossing into the area with great success. It was via such tactics that Sevilla were able to score both of their goals. As Marcelo watched a ball sail towards the far post, Jesus Navas came charging from behind, beating the Brazilian international to the ball, to head Sevilla into the lead on 33 minutes.

Entering the match as a substitute after halftime, Kaka supplied a much-needed spark for Pellegrini's side on Saturday. After a lackluster, scoreless first half against newly promoted Tenerife, the Chilean manager opted to make two changes at the break. The introduction of the Brazilian international changed the tempo of the match completely, breathing life into a very casual Madrid squad. Providing a new level of creativity and imagination, Tenerife could not find an answer to slowing Kaka and his playmaking.

In the first half Real seldom looked like a team contending for multiple trophies, creating only one true opportunity. To Tenerife's credit, the club from the Canary Islands executed their game plan perfectly throughout the first forty-five minutes. Shutting down Xabi Alonso in the middle while pressuring Casillas with quick shots, Jose Luis Oltra had his team on terms against one of the most lethal attacking squads in Europe.

On Wednesday night Manuel Pellegrini returned to El Madrigal, where he was the man at the helm for five years when Villarreal achieved their greatest success in the Spanish top flight. Supported by the play of Ronaldo and Kaka, the Chilean manager led Real Madrid to victory against a Villarreal team struggling to re-establish themselves as a perennial league contender.

Under Pellegrini Villarreal finished second in La Liga, ten points ahead of Barcelona, during the 2007-2008 season as well as Champions League semi-finals appearance in 2005-2006. Considered a challenger for a top position in the league this year, "the yellow submarine" have started the campaign sluggishly, not the time to play host to a Real Madrid squad looking to improve on their perfect start.

A day after league rivals FC Barcelona embarrassed perennial top club Atletico de Madrid, the spotlight was on Real Madrid to answer if they wished to stay atop the table. Forty seconds after kick-off Real had their response. Ronaldo's double accompanied by a late surge from the home side allowed Real to remain even with Barca and more importantly, continue their unblemished start to the season, on nine points after three matches.

Within seconds of the starting whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo took control of a loose ball and skillfully maneuvered his way through the Xerez defence and brilliantly struck home to put Pellegrini's side in control early. If it were not for the excellent play of Renan in net for Xerez, the match could have gotten out of hand very quickly. The Andalusia side, who are marking their first campaign in the top flight of Spanish football this season, were immensely out played early.

Nevertheless, trailing by only one goal for most of the contest, Xerez were able to threaten the Madrid net a few times. The Brazilian international's keeping surely kept the game within sight for Xerez; however, an onslaught in the last fifteen put the game out of reach and elevated Madrid to victory. But for the seventy-four minutes after Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead, Real were unable to finish, keeping the supporters at the Bernabeu on edge.